Taking significant steps to curb the rising drug menace, the Shimla district administration has decided to launch a massive anti-drug campaign across all 441 panchayats, with a special focus on chitta.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shimla, Anupam Kashyap, shared this information while chairing a review meeting on the issue via video conference with concerned officials. He said the campaign will ensure active participation from panchayat representatives, women’s groups, youth clubs, self-help groups, educational institutions and various government departments.
The DC said the administration has made it a mission to eradicate the drug menace from society. “Chitta is not just a law-and-order issue but a serious social challenge that requires collective action from every section of society,” he said. “As part of this campaign, extensive awareness programmes will be organised at the panchayat level to educate youth about the harmful effects of drug abuse and to engage them in positive activities,” he said.
He further said that police, health, education, social justice and empowerment departments, along with public representatives, will conduct village-to-village outreach to spread awareness about the dangers of drug addiction.
“Additionally, oath-taking ceremonies, awareness rallies, sports competitions, street plays and interactive dialogue sessions will also be organised,” he added.
Shimla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Singh said the police were continuously taking effective action against drug trafficking and had intensified their anti-narcotics drive this year. “So far, 159 cases under the NDPS Act have been registered in the district, leading to the arrest of 337 accused this year,” he said.
