Over 2.34 lakh people join Chief Minister’s ‘Drug-Free Himachal’  campaign

·        Positive results emerging through active public participation against drug abuse

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s ‘Drug-Free Himachal’ campaign is receiving widespread public support across the state. So far, more than 2.34 lakh people have joined the initiative. The Panchayati Raj Department has provided these individuals with special training on preventing the misuse of narcotic and intoxicating substances, disaster management and promoting  social awareness, enabling them to effectively address these challenges in their respective areas.

Due to the continuous efforts of the state government and active public participation, different sections of society are now becoming an integral part of the campaign. Awareness against drug abuse has increased among people, and collective efforts to protect youth from dangerous substances like ‘chitta’, heroin and other synthetic drugs have intensified. These 2.34 lakh volunteers  are acting as the eyes and ears of the government by promptly informing the police about drug traffickers, ensuring strict action against offenders. They are also actively spreading awareness among youth and society about the harmful effects of drug addiction.

The success of this campaign is being ensured through the coordinated efforts of all departments by formulating and implementing an effective and comprehensive action plan. Special instructions were issued to the Panchayati Raj Department and the Police Department to prevent the youth of the state from falling into drug addiction. Under this initiative, the identification of drug users and traffickers was carried out at the panchayat level.

Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country where panchayat-level classification of drug-affected areas was conducted on a scientific basis. Based on surveys, panchayats in the state were categorized into red, yellow and green zones. Among these, 234 panchayats were placed in the red category, where the impact of ‘chitta’ was found to be the highest. Special campaigns have been launched in these areas to reduce the influence of drugs. Positive results are beginning to emerge through active public participation, cooperation from panchayat representatives and increased police surveillance.

The government has further strengthened awareness programs, dialogue campaigns, youth participation activities and community monitoring systems at the panchayat level. The aim of the campaign is not only to curb drug trafficking but also to provide positive direction to the youth and build a safe and healthy drug free society.

The Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to transforming the ‘Drug-Free Himachal’ mission into a people’s movement, and with the participation of every section of society, an effective solution to this challenge will be ensured. While the government is tightening the legal noose around criminals, effective efforts are also being made for the rehabilitation and mainstreaming of people affected by drug addiction.