Expressing concern over the raising drug abuse, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said, drugs which were corroding the foundations of our society, particularly the youth, contributes to higher rates of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual violence and needs to be curbed stringently. He was speaking on the occasion of International Drugs Day, on the theme, ‘Drug Free Himachal’ organised at the historic Ridge, here today to make aware the society regarding the ills of Drug abuse, organised by State Police and sponsored by AIRTEL. Shri Virbhadra Singh stressed the need to meet the challenges posed by illicit drug trafficking in the country. He said abuse of drugs were universal and India was no exception to this twin problem. “Illicit drug business attracts criminal organisations because of the huge potential profits” he said, adding that online pharmacies indulging in illicit sale of pharmaceutical drugs was a major problem and needs to be countered effectively.
The Chief Minister said that the drug control strategies were generally aimed at achieving a balance between supply reduction and demand reduction of drugs, and without demand reduction there will only be a shift towards other drugs or substances of abuse.Promoting cultivation of other cash crops and construction of roads in the interior areas of the State would also help checking the cultivation of narcotics.The Chief Minister urged the judiciary to decide the cases of master minds of drug business expeditiously and on priority basis so that it could be a lesson for others involved in drug business. Besides, he also urged to the NGOs and other organisations to come out openly against the drug peddlers and sensitise the society and imbibe the values amongst the children so as to make them aware of the fatal effects of drugs.Shri Virbhadra said that Government was committed to stamping out drug menace and termed Inter-agency coordination most essential prerequisite for reduction in the supply of drugs. Shri Virbhadra Singh said the drug racket seemed to be well organized and the law enforcement agencies need to curb the inter-state drug trafficking.
He stressed the need for adopting holistic approach with the support of the society to root out the drug abuse from the society to a large extent and hinted to incorporate the drug syllabus in schools to create awareness amongst the students so that they could be sensitised at very young stage.Half-Marathon was also organised on the occasion in which people from various walks of life participated to spread the message against drugs. Street plays were also organised on the occasion. The Chief Minister also distributed prizes to the winners of dream-run for elders, to the differently abled children and others who participated in various events including mini-marathon organised on the occasion. DGP, Shri Sanjay Kumar, also spoke on the occasion and detailed about the steps being taken by the department to root-out the menace. Forest Minister, Shri Thakur Singh Bharmour, DGP, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Shri Rohan Thakur, Zonal Sales Manager, AIRTEL, Shri Mukesh Ranjan and other Senior Civil and Police officers were also present on the occasion amongst others.