Himachal govt to include chapter on ills of drug use in school curriculum
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh govt is set to include a chapter on the ills of drug use in the school curriculum. The announcement was made by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Thursday.
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Presiding over a function here to mark the day, Sukhu urged every section of society to join the drive against drugs to make Himachal a drug-free state. He said, "The vision of a prosperous country can only be realised by channelling the energy of the youth in the right direction."
Reiterating his govt's zero-tolerance policy towards the use and trafficking of drugs, Sukhu said, "None, even govt employees, found involved in drug trafficking will be spared.
There is no place for drugs in Devbhoomi."
He called on the youth of the state to join the fight against drugs, help themselves and others as well to come out of it. The state govt remains committed to cracking down on drug networks and taking stern action against the offenders, he assured the gathering.
Sukhu also said the state govt is focused on providing employment and skill development opportunities for those recovering from addiction, thereby integrating them back into mainstream society.
He said, "The Himachal govt has approved the setting up of a fully equipped 100-bedded de-addiction centre in Kotla Barog of Sirmaur district with an outlay of Rs 5.34 crore. The construction will start this year. Himachal govt is working towards establishing a district-level de-addiction centre in every district."
Highlighting the efforts of his govt, Sukhu said it approved the implementation of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act soon after assuming power, something that the previous BJP govt could not do during its five-year tenure.
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The CM administered the anti-drug pledge and honoured various organisations and individuals on the occasion for their outstanding contributions in checking drug abuse in the state.
Health and family welfare minister Col Dhani Ram Shandil (retd.) said much more still needs to be done in the fight against drug abuse. He emphasised the need for a large-scale movement akin to the freedom struggle, and said every individual must actively participate in to to uproot this evil.
Drug peddlers are enemies of society, he added.
Stating that values and discipline must be inculcated at home to prevent the youth from falling prey to drugs, the cabinet said, "This is essential for the success of any anti-drug campaign. Parents and teachers should maintain regular dialogue with children and encourage them to actively participate in sports and other constructive activities."
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