Panaji, August 27: The Goa Directorate of Education has directed all educational institutions in the State to ensure a “500-Metre Drug-Free Zone” around their campuses as part of a nationwide initiative aimed at curbing drug abuse among students.

The circular, issued on August 27 by Director of Education Shailesh R. Sinai Zingde, follows a recommendation from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

According to the circular, heads of all Government, Government-aided, unaided, secondary, higher secondary and special schools have been instructed to take immediate and appropriate action to implement the recommendation.

School authorities have been specifically directed to ensure that the area within a 500-metre radius of their premises is maintained as a Drug-Free Zone.

“The school heads shall ensure that the area within a radius of 500 meters from the school premises is maintained as a Drug-Free Zone,” the circular states.

The Education Department has sought strict compliance with immediate effect, placing responsibility on school heads to take necessary measures in their respective areas.

The initiative assumes significance amid growing concerns over the availability and abuse of narcotic substances among youngsters and seeks to create a protective environment around educational institutions.

Copies of the circular have also been forwarded to the Narcotics Control Bureau, Goa Home Department, Deputy Directors of the North, Central and South Educational Zones and ADEIs of all talukas.

With the directive now formally issued, the focus will be on how the Education Department, school authorities, police and other enforcement agencies coordinate to ensure that the 500-metre Drug-Free Zone does not remain merely an instruction on paper but is effectively enforced on the ground.