Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday inaugurated the 'Nav Jeevan' Women’s De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre in Mashobra near Shimla. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the growing problem of drug abuse in Himachal Pradesh, particularly the use of chitta (heroin), was not merely a law-and-order issue but a serious social, family and humanitarian challenge.
He said that the state government was addressing the problem at an early stage by creating public awareness and taking strict action against drug traffickers. The Chief Minister said that this was the first specialized government facility of its kind in the state for women.
The centre would not only provide treatment but also help women rebuild their lives with dignity. It would offer safe accommodation, medical care, psychological counselling, rehabilitation services, social reintegration support and family-based assistance.
He further said that a second government-run de-addiction and rehabilitation centre would be established at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda in Kangra district. Sh. Sukhu emphasized that young people and women who fall victim to addiction should not be viewed as criminals.
In contrast, those who sell and traffic drugs were enemies of society and the government would show no leniency towards them. He said that the government's approach was based on compassion for victims and firmness against drug traffickers.
The Chief Minister said that when a woman or daughter gets trapped in addiction, the consequences extend far beyond the individual, affecting her family, children and future generations. Keeping this in view, the government was strengthening treatment, counselling, rehabilitation and social reintegration services, while simultaneously intensifying action against drug traffickers.
He said that the state government launched the Anti-Chitta Public Movement from Shimla on 15 November last year which now had evolved into a broad social campaign involving young people, panchayat representatives, teachers, voluntary organizations and ordinary citizens. He urged the public to participate actively in the fight against drug abuse so that this social evil could be eradicated.
Sh. Sukhu said that the government had launched a decisive campaign against drug trafficking. Preventive action was being taken under stringent legal provisions, including the PIT-NDPS Act and major drug networks were being dismantled. He said that the authorities were identifying properties linked to drug traffickers and warned that no individual involved in the illegal drug trade would be spared, regardless of their influence or status.
Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Himachal Pradesh Drug Prevention Board Co-Convenor Sanjay Bhardwaj, Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari, ESOMSA Director Sumit Kimta, DC Anupam Kashyap, SP Gaurav Singh and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.