Himachal Pradesh government to launch statewide anti-drug campaign amid growing concerns

Shimla, September 01: In response to the rising drug abuse in Himachal Pradesh, a massive campaign will be launched across the state targeting this menace. The initiative will be spearheaded by the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department (RD&PR) under the guidance of Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla. The campaign aims to involve local communities, especially through Panchayati Raj Institutions and Block Development Committee (BDC) members, to tackle drug addiction at the grassroots level.

Governor Shukla, during a meeting with RD&PR Minister Anirudh Singh and other officials at the Raj Bhawan, emphasized the important role of the RD&PR department in not only spearheading development projects at the village level but also addressing social issues like drug abuse. “A joint effort of the Panchayati Raj and Education departments is essential to curb the problem of drug abuse in the state,” Shukla said, drawing attention to the success of the year-long anti-drug campaign in Una district, which is a model for statewide implementation.

The governor directed the RD&PR department to prepare a detailed report within ten days, outlining the strategy of the campaign, which will be implemented in phases across the state. The involvement of various line departments, including education and police, will be crucial for the success of the campaign. “There is an urgent need to raise awareness at the rural level through video messages and IEC (information, education and communication) material,” Shukla said, underlining the importance of community participation in tackling the issue.

Minister Anirudh Singh expressed full support for the governor’s initiative, assuring that the state government is committed to making Himachal Pradesh drug-free. He highlighted the need for legal reforms related to drug abuse and emphasized that the campaign will be executed effectively with the involvement of deputy commissioners across the state.