Himachal Pradesh to bring in Integrated Policy for Drug Prevention
Total Views |
Shimla, Dec 25: The Himachal Pradesh Government has recently announced that Integrated Drug Prevention, Treatment, Management and Rehabilitation Programme is to be framed soon.
The policy will be titled 'State Policy of Drug Prevention, Treatment, Management and Rehabilitation Programme'. It aims to increase cooperation between police, media and the Nasha Nivaran Board to curb the menace of drug abuse in the state. Six Drug de-addiction centres are to be opened in Himachal Pradesh.
The Standard of Operating Procedure (SOP) is to be framed to control and regulate already functioning integrated rehabilitation centres for addicts and de-addiction centres. Official surveys will be conducted to learn about the pattern of drug production, diversion of psychotropic substances. This will include precursors and magnitude of drug production in the state.
State-wise drug awareness campaigns will be started where the elected representatives of Urban Local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions, NSS volunteers and NCC cadets will be involved. The State Narcotics Control Cell is to be strengthened. The new strategy of Himachal Pradesh State Government will mainly focus on drugs derived from plant sources such as opium and cannabis.
The Himachal Pradesh State Government has taken immense measures against the cultivation of drug generating plants. It had also deployed Sashastra Seema Bal to address the issues in the high-altitude regions. The State Government also provided modern equipment of cannabis or opium destruction to these forces. The Himachal Pradesh Government is to introduce a chapter on ill-effects of drug abuse in the school syllabus of government schools.
A large number of drug peddlers are from the neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh such as Haryana, Punjab and Uttarakhand. Therefore, joint initiatives are to be launched under the policy. The Northern States had earlier agreed to share information regarding drug trafficking.