Gyan Vigyan Samiti seeks urgent action against drug menace
Expressing concern over the rising drug menace in the state, the\B \BHimachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti has demanded the state government to create a comprehensive and integrated policy to make the state drug-free.
Samiti units from Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts today met the concerned MLAs and submitted memorandums to them regarding their demands. The remaining district units also submitted the memorandums to the concerned MLAs via Whatsapp.
Through the memorandum, the Samiti urged the MLAs to ensure that both the ruling and opposition parties discuss the issue of drug abuse during the ongoing Budget session besides formulate a comprehensive and effective policy to curb it. The Samiti also demanded stringent punitive provisions to prevent the use of drugs in the upcoming Panchayati Raj elections.
The Samiti further called on the state government to launch the anti-drug campaign on a 'mission mode'. The Samiti, through the memorandum, emphasised the need for concrete government intervention and provided the several suggestions such as to constitute a mission focusing on demand reduction and supply control of drugs under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, constitution of a dedicated coordination and execution cell to ensure coordination among various departments as well as to handle resource allocation, data collection and programme evaluation.
Additionally, the Samiti has also urged for the expansion and strengthening of OPD and IPD facilities, establishing rehabilitation centres in the government sector, de-addiction programmes in jails, capacity building and training of stakeholders and special focus on border areas of the state.
Samiti also urged the elected representatives of Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies not to ostracise individuals or families affected by addiction or drug abuse. Instead, they should offer support for treatment and work towards pressuring big suppliers for legal action.
