Policy to combat drug menace soon

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 5

The police will undertake exhaustive documentation of the areas under narcotic cultivation and the extent of problem to prepare a policy framework so that a sustained campaign for eradication, enforcement, awareness and rehabilitation can be undertaken against the drug menace.

Having constituted a task force to crack the whip on the drug mafia in Malana and Kasol of Kullu, the police will now prepare a policy framework so that deadlines and specific targets can be assigned to rid the Valley of Gods of the drug menace.

“Though we have been trying to fight the problem, now I am in the process of preparing an all encompassing policy framework against cannabis and other narcotic substances, in consultation with stakeholders,” said Somesh Goyal, DGP. He said the policy would be prepared in consultation with officials from the NCB, Forest, Revenue, Tourism, Horticulture, Agriculture, Health and Social Justice and Empowerment departments within two or three weeks.

The police have now stepped up its campaign with the High Court issuing clear cut directions on the need for a crack down on the drug mafia and all those associated with the drug trade in Kasol. Even though Special Narcotics Cells had been created at Kullu, Shimla and Dharamsala, with there being little synergy with the local police units, these had not been very effective.

The police are keen on having a policy framework so that all departments can work in coordination against the drug trade. The Forest and Revenue departments will ensure that there is no cannabis or poppy cultivation on their land and the Tourism Department will check illegal and unregistered hotels or guest houses. Horticulture and Agriculture departments will offer alternative cropping options to villagers to wean them off from cannabis and opium cultivation.

The crackdown on rave parties and foreigners’ indulgence in the drug trade too will be looked into minutely. “With most foreigners following the Golden Triangle route, most of them have moved down to Goa and it is only after April next year that they will head back towards Malana, Kasol and other parts of Kullu district,” said Goyal.

The latest figures of the seizures by the police and other law enforcing agencies reveal that there has been a seven-time increase in the quantity of synthetic drugs being used in the form of capsules and injectibles. “This is a very serious and disturbing trend and we need to launch an offensive against the use of synthetic drugs,” says Goel.

Depts to work in tandem

• The policy will be ready within two or three weeks in consultation with officials from all departments
• The Forest and Revenue departments will ensure that there is no cannabis or poppy cultivation on their land
• The Tourism Department will check illegal and unregistered hotels or guest houses
• Horticulture and Agriculture departments will offer alternative cropping options to villagers to wean them off from cannabis and opium cultivation