Himachal Legislative Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Friday called for collective efforts to eradicate drug abuse, saying the state government’s anti-chitta campaign is being transformed into a people’s movement to protect the youth from the menace of narcotics.
Addressing a district-level programme organised at the Savings Hall in Chamba on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Pathania administered an anti-drug pledge to public representatives, government officials, employees and students from various educational institutions.
He also flagged off an anti-chitta awareness rally, in which a large number of students participated to spread awareness against drug abuse. MLA Neeraj Nayar was also present on the occasion.
Describing chitta (heroin) as one of the most dangerous synthetic drugs, Pathania said drug addiction had emerged as a serious national and global challenge.
He said organised efforts were being made to lure the younger generation into substance abuse and stressed that the menace could only be tackled through collective action involving the government, educational institutions, families and society.
“The state government has been giving the anti-chitta awareness campaign the shape of a mass movement since last year. The objective is to create awareness among youth, students and the general public about the harmful effects of drugs and ensure people’s participation in building a drug-free Himachal,” he said.
Appealing to parents to remain vigilant, Pathania urged them to closely monitor their children’s activities and seek timely help instead of concealing problems due to social stigma. “Even one or two instances of consuming chitta can lead to addiction, making it extremely difficult for an individual to recover,” he cautioned.
