Shimla, February 2: The Himachal Forum Against Drug Abuse has urged the Governor and the Chief Minister to convene an immediate meeting of the State Drug Prevention and De-addiction Board to frame a unified and scientifically driven strategy to tackle the growing drug menace in the state.
Forum President Deepak Sanan emphasized that while the drug crisis is serious and public concern is understandable, any campaign lacking scientific understanding and coordination could derail ongoing efforts. He stressed the need for an integrated and well-coordinated approach to ensure minimum standards in de-addiction and prevention initiatives.
Sanan strongly opposed the social boycott of drug-addicted youth and their families, stating that such actions are neither appropriate nor constructive. He questioned whether society and administrative systems are so fragile that they remain unaware of those involved in drug trafficking within villages, panchayats, and remote areas. He also raised concerns about how drugs are supplied and distributed across the state.
State Secretary of Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Satyawan Pundir, and Technical Associate Vijay Kumar appreciated the state government’s commitment to making Himachal Pradesh drug-free. However, they pointed out a lack of coordination and clarity among organizations working in the anti-drug campaign.
The forum expressed concern that certain groups are announcing rewards for catching drug users and encouraging social boycotts of their families, calling such measures unjustified and counterproductive. According to the forum, these actions often appear to be driven more by a desire for publicity than by genuine concern for resolving the drug crisis.
The forum reiterated that only a compassionate, evidence-based, and coordinated approach can effectively combat drug abuse in the state.
