CM: Drug prevention policy on the cards

Tribune News Service

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Shimla, December 23

The integrated drug prevention policy will be framed to combat the growing drug menace, said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the first meeting of the HP Nasha Nivaran Board held here today.

Stressing that the better coordination among the police, media and the Nasha Nivaran Board was vital for curbing the menace, he said surveys would be conducted to know the extent and pattern of drug production, diversion of psychotropic substances, including the magnitude of drug abuse in the state.

He said it came to notice that a large number of drug peddlers were from the neighboring states and he took the initiative to chalk out a joint strategy with neighbouring states by sharing intelligence inputs and it had proved to be a success in checking the menace.

The government had decided to open six drug de-addiction centres and was contemplating to frame standard-operating procedures (SOPs) to regulate the already functioning integrated rehabilitation centres to ensure better services to the needy, he said.

The State Narcotics Control Cell of the police would be strengthened to tackle the menace. He also said a major part of the strategy of the government focused on certain drugs originally derived from cannabis and opium.

Chief Secretary Anil Khachi said the executive committee of the board would be constituted and regular meetings be held for proper implementation of its recommendations.

DGP Sanjay Kundu said more drones could be used to identify illegal cultivation in remote areas.

Convener of the board OP Sharma made a presentation on the prevailing drug situation in HP.