Governor Acharya Devvrat said that drug addiction not only affect a person or family, but the entire society and there was urgent need that police administration work more vigorously to eliminate this social evil. He was addressing on the occasion of International Day against drug abuse and illegal trafficking organized by the State Police here today.“Himachal Pradesh is known as Dev Bhoomi and its culture, lifestyle, ideology is very rich but it is unfortunate that the problem of drug abuse has cropped up severely and if we will not check it immediately, the situation may become worse in the days to come”, said Acharya Devvrat.He expressed happiness that the police administration was making all out efforts to curb this menace and save the younger generation from drug addiction. He said such campaigns should be started simultaneously in parts of the state.The Governor stressed there was need to change the mindset of the people and everyone should take the responsibility to fight against the drug abuse. He asked to start campaigns against drug addiction at school, college and university level and awareness camps at the grass root level. He said the teachers should discharge their duties with integrity and students should be engaged in constructive activities and moral values should be inculcated in them to make them responsible citizens.
Acharya Devvrat said that those who were involved in illegal drug trafficking should not get any kind of protection. The State Government was serious in this direction and with the cooperation of educational institutions, NGOs and the media, campaign against drug addiction so that society should be aware of its impact. He advised the police administration to organize such programs, seminars and meetings in this direction. He also emphasized on introducing drug de-addiction centre and said that with the assistance of the State Red Cross, the de-addiction center was being set up in Shimla.Earlier, Director General of Police Dr S.R. Mardi gave detailed information about the action against drug addiction during last five months in the state. He said that the police administration was working in this direction with full responsibility and after reaching 125 Panchayats, contact was made with about 47 thousand people to make them aware about drugs menace. He said that during this period awareness campaign was started in 1025 schools and colleges and about 1.65 lakh students were made part of the campaign. He said that with the inspiration of the Governor, such campaign would be organized at large scale and efforts would be made to restrict the hundred per cent prohibition on addiction.Shri Ashok Tiwari, A.D.G.P., C.I.D. presented vote of thanks.On the occasion, the Governor also participated in interactive session.Advisor to the Governor Dr. Shashikant Sharma, Vice Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University Prof. Rajendra Chauhan, former DGP Shri R.R. Verma and senior officer of police department and teachers from various school were also present on the occasion.