RAJIV KUMAR
DIRECTOR ,I& PR
- Over 5,000 NDPS cases registered
The growing use of narcotics and synthetic drugs emerged as a serious concern in Himachal Pradesh in past few years, particularly in districts bordering pharmaceutical hubs. Sensing the urgency to curb this menace among youth who were increasingly falling prey to heroin, MDMA, Tramadol and other synthetic substances, the state government soon after assuming the office, declared a war on drugs and placed the issue at the top of its governance agenda.
To address the gravity of the crisis, the government moved swiftly to strengthen the legal framework and institutional mechanisms. Two comprehensive legislations have been enacted during this year. The Himachal Pradesh Organized Crime (Prevention and Control) Bill has been introduced with stringent provisions such as the death penalty, life imprisonment, property confiscation and heavy fines to target organized crime syndicates.
Complementing this, the HP Drugs and Controlled Substances (Prevention, De-addiction and Rehabilitation) Bill has also been brought in to ensure not only stricter punishment for drug offenses but also to institutionalize a robust framework for rehabilitation, prevention, awareness and livelihood creation. The Act has a provision of establishment of a state fund dedicated to support de-addiction services and community outreach initiatives drawn from the successful Sikkim model.
Recognizing the importance of early intervention, the state government has announced to introduce a dedicated chapter on drug abuse awareness in the school curriculum from next academic session to educate and sensitize students at an early age, making them aware of the dangers of substance abuse.
A major breakthrough came in 2024 with the enforcement of Preventive Detention under the PIT-NDPS Act, which marked a decisive step to dismantle drug trafficking at its roots. As part of this aggressive and proactive approach, 123 proposals were submitted, leading to 41 detention orders being issued against habitual offenders and major peddlers. This was a clear indication of the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards drug networks.
The crackdown extended beyond individual offenders to those providing them financial and logistical support. In a state-wide drive, the police identified 1,214 illegal properties linked to drug traffickers, took action against 70 encroachments and initiated demolition and eviction proceedings in major cases. The administration also booked 80 government employees found involved in drug-related activities, sending a strong message that the crackdown spares no one, not even those within the system.
From 2023 to mid-2025, the police department undertook a sustained and impactful crackdown across the state. A total of 5,004 NDPS cases were registered including 2,147 in 2023 and 1,717 in 2024 and 1,140 up to June 2025. These figures are a testament to the government’s unwavering resolve and the relentless vigilance of the police force.
Alongside arrests, the government executed a strategic economic offensive to dismantle the financial backbone of the drug trade. In just two and a half years, assets worth Rs. 36.95 crore were attached which include Rs. 4.87 crore in 2023, Rs. 25.42 crore in 2024 and Rs. 6.66 crore till June 2025. Additional cases involving Rs. 7.74 crore are under the process of confirmation which signals the continued financial disruption of the narcotics economy.
In a major structural move, a Special Task Force (STF) was constituted in March 2025, with three operational zones- Dharamshala, Mandi, Parwanoo covering high-risk areas such as Una, Kullu, Baddi and Sirmaur. Thirteen police stations have been brought under the STF umbrella, with six already operational, ensuring sharper, intelligence-driven enforcement and better inter-district coordination.
Simultaneously, rehabilitation and reintegration have been emphasized as key pillars of the government’s approach. De-addiction centres for men are operational in Kullu, Una, Hamirpur and Kangra, while the Red Cross Society manages a centre for women in Kullu. A 100-bedded state-of-the-art de-addiction facility is being set up at Kotla Barog in Sirmaur district and plans are underway to establish similar centres in all districts.
To support the long-term recovery and reintegration of former addicts, the government is providing employment opportunities, skill development and counselling, aiming to treat addiction as a health and social issue rather than a purely criminal one. This shift in policy reflects a humane and inclusive approach to rehabilitation.
On the health front, the Himachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society, under the guidance of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) has launched 14 targeted intervention projects for Injecting Drug Users (IDUs). These projects provide safe needles, counselling, referral services for HIV/STI, oral drug substitutes and ART linkage for HIV-positive individuals. The Needle-Syringe Exchange Programmes have significantly reduced infection transmission and improved access to health services for vulnerable populations.
Enforcement efforts on the ground have been wide-ranging and effective. From 2023 to June 2025, the police seized 919 kg of charas, 32.9 kg of heroin, 1,632 kg of poppy husk, 89.6 kg of opium and over 1.64 lakh tablets and capsules. The destruction of nearly 70 lakh cannabis plants marked a strong step toward curbing illegal cultivation in remote and difficult terrains. To ensure more precise interventions, addicts and peddlers are being mapped ward-wise and categorized into red, yellow and green zones based on frequency and severity of drug usage, which enables targeted outreach and recovery strategies.
These collective efforts reflect the clear and determined vision of the state government to build a drug-free society. Through legislative innovation, administrative resolve, economic disruption of drug networks and compassionate rehabilitation measures, the state has laid a strong foundation for long-term impact. Though the challenges remains but the progress made in the last two and a half years signals a turning point in Himachal’s battle against narcotics and it would play a pivotal role in establishing Himachal as a model state in India’s national fight against drugs.