Special campaign against drug abuse to be launched in HP

To curb the increasing drug abuse in Himachal Pradesh, a special campaign would be run at the district level by involving representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions and BDC members thereafter this campaign will be started in a phased manner through the State in an effective manner with the help of the line departments like education and police.

This was stated by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla in a meeting with the department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in presence of  RD and PR Minister Anirudh Singh at Raj Bhavan here today. He said that RD&PR was an important department, which could work effectively not only for developmental works at the village level but also for creating awareness about the various issues.  “There is a need to run a joint campaign by Panchayati Raj and Education departments to curb drug menace in the state”, said Shukla and added that such campaign was launched in Una district for a year or so yielding positive results.

He stressed the need to make people aware at the rural level through video messages and IEC material and directed the department to submit a detailed report in this regard so that appropriate action could be ensured soon.

The Minister assured all possible cooperation by the department on this initiative of the Governor. He said that the State Government was making concerted efforts to make the state drug-free and many such steps have been taken in this direction.  He stressed the need for changes in the law regarding drug abuse and assured that this campaign would be launched effectively under the guidance of the Governor and Deputy Commissioners would be included in the campaign to make it successful.

Rajesh Sharma, Secretary of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.