The Government is committed to eradicate the drug abuse from the State which is one of the most vexing and pervasive problem having devastating effect on the families and the inpiduals habitual of drugs stated Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh while speaking on the occasion of prize distribution ceremony of ‘Half Marathon’ organized by the Himachal Pradesh Police department at the historic Ridge Maidan today.He said that organizing this awareness event against drug abuse was a commendable effort of the Police department in which participants not only from the State but also from neighbouring States participated in numbers.“I hope that the people would follow the theme “ Make health your ‘New High’ in life, not Drugs” in their day to day life and will spread the message of ill effects of the drugs between the masses”, said he.
Besides this, I am informed that the campaign launched by the police against drug abuse from 26th June, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, was as an expression of its determination to strengthen action with cooperation of the people and NGOs to achieve the goal of making society free of drug abuse, said the Chief Minister. “I am happy to learn that the campaign will also spread to educational institutions, would be a part of deliberations in meetings, seminars and organizing painting, essay writing competitions etc to make people aware of its fatal effects” remarked the chief Minister. He said that today drugs addiction in almost all the countries was a cause of concern. The consequence of such addiction, abuse, trafficking or even cultivation can be devastating, adding that unfortunately the youths were the most vulnerable on hard drugs and this brings a lot of adverse effects on the community besides affecting their health and promoting community crime.
He said that as many as 900 cases were registered under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) in the State and the illegal cultivation of such drugs destroyed in as many as five thousand bighas of land. The police department, I hope, will free the State of this menace soon and nab the drug peddlers, said he.He also distributed the prizes to the winners of Half Marathon of 21.5 kilometers distance in senior category of both male and female. In male category, Jitendar Singh won the first prize of Rs 25000 followed by Ravinder Kumar and Devendar Singh who were given cash prize of Rs 15000 and 11000 respectively. In female category, Rooma topped the tally followed by Supriya Patil and Amandeep Kaur with similar cash prize as their male counterparts and certificates of participation.The winners of Mini marathon of 10 kilometers distance were Sunil Prasad, Jagmal and Rahul in male category and Kavita Patel, Kanta Devi and Kiranjeet Kaur in female category who were given cash prize of Rs 11000, Rs 7500, and Rs 5100 respectively, along with certificates.
Earlier, Director General of Police, Sanjay Kumar welcomed the Chief Minister and honoured him on the occasion. He detailed about various activities of the Department and steps being taken to fight drug abuse in the State.Later, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Fully Computerized Police Assistance Control Room on the Mall. This control room will compile and monitor the record of the all calls received on emergency number 100, and thereafter will send the message simultaneously to the executing agency for necessary and time bound action at their end.Irrigation and Public Health Minister, Mrs. Vidya Stokes, Vice Chairman State Planning Board, Shri Gangu Ram Musafir, Deputy Mayor, Shri Tikender Panwar, Vice Chairman, HPTDC, Shri Harish Janartha, Lieut. General Shri Sanjeev Madhok, ADGP, Shri SR Mardi, ADGP AP&T, Shri Ohja, Retired DGP Shri Rati Ram Verma, Deputy Commissioner, Shri Dinesh Malhotra, SP Shimla Shri DW Negi and all the senior officers of the police department were present on the occasion amongst other dignitaries.