Mass movement needed to root out drug menace: CM

Tribune News Service

Solan, December 5

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday said the state government would enact a law to make drug peddling a non-bailable offence.

Addressing a state-level anti-drug rally at Baddi, he said drug peddlers were active in the bordering districts and most cases registered against them pertained to the neighbouring states. He said several peddlers had been arrested due to the inter-state coordination.

While expressing the need for a mass campaign, the Chief Minister said the involvement of parents, teachers and every responsible citizen was required to curb the menace of drug abuse. Special campaigns would be launched to sensitise, particularly the youth, against the ill-effects of drug abuse. Prevention programmes, involving families, schools and immediate communities, were a must. He urged children to discourage their elders from consuming liquor. Earlier, he laid the foundation stones of improvement and strengthening the Manpura-Dharampur road to be completed at a cost of Rs 11 crore and a bridge on the Ratta Khad Morepan road to be constructed at a cost of Rs 1.35 crore. He announced a drug de-addiction centre at Baddi, science classes in Senior Secondary School (SSC), Baddi, and also upgrade of Primary School, Timli, to a middle school and High School, Thana, to a Senior Secondary School. A booklet to sensitise the students against drug abuse was also released by the Chief Minister.

Director General of Police SR Mardi said drug abuse had emerged as the biggest social problem, particularly among the youth. Cannabis grown on thousands of bighas had been destroyed in the state, he added.

Thakur also addressed the second convocation of a private university at Baddi later in the evening. He urged teachers to join hands with the government to eradicate the drug menace.