Drug addicts will not be kept with mentally ill patients in IGMC – Health Minister

Shimla 12 August 2025

Health and Family Welfare, Social Justice and Empowerment and Sainik Welfare Minister Dr. (Colonel) Dhani Ram Shandil said that drug addicts undergoing treatment at IGMC will not be kept with mentally ill patients. The State Government is going to take steps in this direction.
The Health and Family Welfare Minister was speaking after launching the trailer of “The White Truth” web series against drug abuse under the Yuva Bachao Abhiyan by Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti at Bachat Bhawan here today. This web series has 7 episodes and is based on people who have fallen prey to drug addiction. The aim is to spread awareness through this web series about how you can play your role in society against drug abuse. The web series has been produced by TFT Production and it will be available on the YouTube channel of Gyan Vigyan Samiti.

Human life is precious, do not destroy it with drugs
The Cabinet Minister said that human life is precious, it should not be destroyed by taking drugs. Today, the drug business has spread everywhere. Drugs are reaching India from foreign countries through the borders. Security agencies are working but it has to be done with more intensity. Similarly, the state government has implemented strict rules to put a check on this drug business in the state. The general public is supporting the anti-drug movement in the state. Drug addiction leaves a person useless. He said that if you keep yourself strong with strong willpower, then you can defeat every evil. We all should work together to make Himachal Pradesh drug free.

Government considering building a separate de-addiction center for women
He said that options will be explored to establish a de-addiction center in the government sector in Shimla so that drug addicts can get the right treatment. Strict action will be taken against those de-addiction centers where drug business is being carried out. Our government is considering building a separate de-addiction centre for women in the state. The number of girls addicted to drugs is increasing every day in the state.

It was very difficult to get out of addiction – Pankaj
Pankaj, who has defeated addiction, while sharing his experience, said that he had been taking chitta for six years. Before this, he was addicted to cannabis for 14 years. When he used to take chitta, he injected it into many veins of the body. Many times he could not even find veins to inject. He wanted to quit addiction but was unable to do so. He could stay without drugs for a maximum of two days. After that, he needed a dose on the third day. About 14 friends, who used drugs with him, have lost their lives due to addiction. His family members supported him and got him treated at Indira Gandhi Medical College. His family did not leave him. “If my family members were not with me, I would not have been able to defeat addiction. Family members play an important role in quitting addiction”, he added.

Additional District Magistrate (Protocol) Jyoti Rana, Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Pankaj Sharma, AC to DC Devi Chand Thakur, retired IAS S.N. Joshi, District Welfare Officer Kapil Sharma, retired J.C. Chauhan, Dr. O.P. Bahurita, Dr. O.P. Kayath, Dr. Ravi Bhushan and many other dignitaries were also present in the function.