
Himachal govt has taken strict action against drug abuse: Health minister
During the programme, he administered the oath to 96 National Service Scheme Volunteers, National Cadet Corps and Scouts & Guides from Government Degree College Kotshhera, 20 students from Government Degree College Sanjauli, 13 students from Himachal Pradesh University's Department of Social Works, along with secretariat officials, members of Gyan-Vigyan Samiti, office-bearers of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and officials of the social justice and empowerment department, to make their district, state and country drug-free.
The Drug-Free India Campaign was launched by the Government of India five years ago to spread awareness about the harmful effects of drugs and has played a significant role in building a drug-free society. Last year over 5.75 lakh people were made aware of the dangers of drugs under the National Drug Prevention Campaign in the state. Awareness activities were carried out in 5,660 villages and 4,332 educational institutions, targeting adolescents, youth, women and the general public.
Shandil said, 'State government has taken strict action against drugs. Two bills have been passed recently in the Assembly against drug abuse and related crime. These bills include provisions for death penalty, life imprisonment, fines up to ₹10 lakh, confiscation of property, rehabilitation, preventive education and livelihood support. Under the PIT NDPS Act, Himachal Pradesh Police has seized illegal property worth ₹42 crore, identified the property of 70 traffickers and detained 44 notorious drug peddlers.'
The campaign is being actively run at the panchayat level to identify smugglers and consumers. A special task force has been formed to focus on anti-drug operations and 13 police stations have been notified for the same.
Dr Shandil said that a 100-bed, fully equipped, modern de-addiction centre would be set up at Kotla Barog in district Sirmaur, with ₹5.34 crore already approved. The Directorate of ESOMSA is working with NITI Aayog, the National Dependence Treatment Centre at AIIMS Delhi and PGI Chandigarh to prepare a detailed state action plan for drug prevention.
He said that de-addiction and rehabilitation centres are already operational in the state - four for men in Kullu, Una, Hamirpur and Kangra districts, and one for women run by the Red Cross Society in district Kullu.
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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Himachal govt has taken strict action against drug abuse: Health minister
Health and family welfare, social justice and empowerment minister Dr (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil administered oath under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan against drug abuse and illegal trafficking on Wednesday. Health and family welfare, social justice and empowerment minister Dr (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil (File) During the programme, he administered the oath to 96 National Service Scheme Volunteers, National Cadet Corps and Scouts & Guides from Government Degree College Kotshhera, 20 students from Government Degree College Sanjauli, 13 students from Himachal Pradesh University's Department of Social Works, along with secretariat officials, members of Gyan-Vigyan Samiti, office-bearers of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and officials of the social justice and empowerment department, to make their district, state and country drug-free. The Drug-Free India Campaign was launched by the Government of India five years ago to spread awareness about the harmful effects of drugs and has played a significant role in building a drug-free society. Last year over 5.75 lakh people were made aware of the dangers of drugs under the National Drug Prevention Campaign in the state. Awareness activities were carried out in 5,660 villages and 4,332 educational institutions, targeting adolescents, youth, women and the general public. Shandil said, 'State government has taken strict action against drugs. Two bills have been passed recently in the Assembly against drug abuse and related crime. These bills include provisions for death penalty, life imprisonment, fines up to ₹10 lakh, confiscation of property, rehabilitation, preventive education and livelihood support. Under the PIT NDPS Act, Himachal Pradesh Police has seized illegal property worth ₹42 crore, identified the property of 70 traffickers and detained 44 notorious drug peddlers.' The campaign is being actively run at the panchayat level to identify smugglers and consumers. A special task force has been formed to focus on anti-drug operations and 13 police stations have been notified for the same. Dr Shandil said that a 100-bed, fully equipped, modern de-addiction centre would be set up at Kotla Barog in district Sirmaur, with ₹5.34 crore already approved. The Directorate of ESOMSA is working with NITI Aayog, the National Dependence Treatment Centre at AIIMS Delhi and PGI Chandigarh to prepare a detailed state action plan for drug prevention. He said that de-addiction and rehabilitation centres are already operational in the state - four for men in Kullu, Una, Hamirpur and Kangra districts, and one for women run by the Red Cross Society in district Kullu.


Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Saini highlights ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' as a people's movement
Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' was not merely a govt initiative but a people's movement, requiring active participation from the youth, women, children, educational institutions, voluntary organisations, saints, and social bodies. Once the youth are freed from the grip of drugs, nothing can stop India from becoming a developed nation, Saini said while addressing a state-level function in Panchkula as the chief guest on the 5th anniversary of the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan'. Around 3 lakh people took an oath of de-addiction at various district-level programmes across Haryana. Saini said on the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ministry of social justice and empowerment launched the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' on August 15, 2020, to lead the country towards a healthy, prosperous, and bright future and unite people against drug abuse. He said the state govt had resolved to make Haryana drug-free. Recently, a cyclothon was organised in which lakhs of youth participated, pledging to stay away from drugs. The campaign has emerged as a large-scale mass movement, drawing participation from youth, women, children, educational institutions, and voluntary organisations, with support from saints and Khap panchayats, said the CM. Saini emphasised that to sustain and accelerate national progress, it was essential to keep youth away from drugs and engage them in productive work. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If A Cat Bites Their Owner Heres What It Really Means Gloriousa Undo The campaign, in the last five years, has spread awareness and inspired society to break free from addiction, he added. The CM said the govt enacted strict laws against drug trafficking and ensured the harshest punishment for offenders. To strengthen enforcement, Haryana has established an inter-state secretariat in Panchkula with seven other states to share intelligence and coordinate anti-drug efforts. However, he noted, eliminating drugs from society could not be achieved by law alone – public awareness, social participation, and especially youth engagement are essential. Saini urged parents to spend time with their children, listen to them, and guide them in the right direction so that they did not lose their way. He stressed that addiction not only destroyed individuals but also weakened families and society. The CM called upon society to support and motivate addicts to quit rather than isolating them. He also administered an anti-drug pledge to those present in the event. Quoting the PM, Saini said if the country's youth channel their energy in a positive direction, no one could stop India from becoming the world's greatest power. Recalling Swami Vivekananda's words, he urged youth to "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached". MSID:: 123282610 413 | Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Shandil urges youth to stay away from drugs
Shimla: Health and family welfare minister Colonel Dhani Ram Shandil (retd) on Wednesday administered an oath against drug abuse and illegal trafficking to the youth from various educational institutions under the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' and listed various initiatives being taken by the state govt to make Himachal Pradesh drug-free. The minister urged the youth, women, officials, employees, and people of Himachal to stay aware of the harmful effects of drugs, take active part in the campaign, and show united commitment against drug abuse. He said the directorate of Empowerment of Scheduled Castes, OBCs, Minorities, and the Specially Abled (ESOMSA) was working with NITI Aayog, the national dependence treatment centre at AIIMS Delhi, and PGIMER Chandigarh to prepare a detailed state action plan for drug prevention. Action against drugs Shandil said the state govt had taken strict action against drugs as two bills were passed recently in the legislative assembly against the drug abuse and related crimes. These bills include provisions of death penalty, life imprisonment, fine up to Rs 10 lakh, confiscation of property, rehabilitation, preventive education, and livelihood support, he informed. Under the PIT NDPS Act, the Himachal Pradesh Police have seized illegal property worth Rs 42 crore, identified the property of 70 traffickers, and detained 44 notorious drug peddlers, the minister added. He further said a campaign was being actively run at the panchayat level to identify smugglers, and drug consumers. A special task force has been formed to focus on anti-drug operations, and 13 police stations have been notified for this purpose. De-addiction centres A 100-bed, fully equipped, modern de-addiction centre will be set up at Kotla Barog in Sirmaur district, said Shandil, adding that Rs 5.34 crore has already been approved for the project. He also informed that de-addiction and rehabilitation centres were already operational in the state – four for men in Kullu, Una, Hamirpur, and Kangra districts, and one for women run by the Red Cross Society in Kullu district. For counselling of the youth, 108 new 'Disha' centres have been set up in health institutions, and ASHA workers, doctors, and psychiatrists are also being specially trained for this purpose, the minister added. MSID:: 123278955 413 | Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.