Punjab Newsline, Shimla-
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 here today.
During the programme, he administered the oath to 96 National Service Scheme Volunteers, National Cadet Corps and Scouts & Guides from Govt. Degree College Kotshhera, 20 students from Govt. 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.
Dr. Shandil urged the youth, women, officials, employees and people of Himachal Pradesh to stay aware of the harmful effects of drugs, take active part in the campaign and show united commitment against drug abuse.
The Health Minister said that youth are the future of the state and the country, and only energetic youth can build a prosperous nation. Unfortunately, the trend of drug use has increased in society and it was becoming increasingly important to guide the youth in the right direction along with prevention and rehabilitation measures.
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.
Dr. Shandil added that the 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 Rs. 10 lakh, confiscation of property, rehabilitation, preventive education and livelihood support. Under the PIT NDPS Act, Himachal Pradesh Police has seized illegal property worth Rs. 42 crore, identified the property of 70 traffickers and detained 44 notorious drug peddlers, he added
The campaign is being actively run at the panchayat level to identify smugglers and consumers have been identified. 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 center would be set up at Kotla Barog in district Sirmaur, with Rs. 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. For counseling of the youth, 108 new 'Disha' centres have been set up in health institutions. ASHA workers, doctors and psychiatrists are also being specially trained for this purpose.
The collective oath campaign under the Drug-Free India initiative is being held across the country from 1st August to 31st August, 2025. In Himachal Pradesh, students, women, employees and the general public will be encouraged to participate in large numbers. Various activities like seminars, webinars, competitions in schools and colleges, workshops, human chains, student rallies, flash mobs, street plays, marathons, walkathons, sports competitions and tree plantation drives would be organized to spread the message of staying away from drugs.
During the programme, all students, officials, employees and dignitaries scanned a QR code to take the pledge against drug abuse and illegal trafficking, and downloaded their certificates online. Others can also join the campaign by scanning the QR code and taking the pledge.
Director ESOMSA Sumit Khimta, Additional Director Dr. Bhawana and other senior officers were present on the occasion.