Kinnaur DC: De-addiction centre to be set up in Kalpa

Expressing concern over the rising drug and substance abuse amongst youth, Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Sharma today said a de-addiction and rehabilitation centre will soon be established in Kalpa panchayat of the district.

Chairing a meeting held to intensify the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ campaign and spread awareness among the youth about the harmful effects of drugs, the DC said yoga, spiritual education and skill development training will be provided at the de-addiction centre to help addicts recover.

He said along with the district administration, police, educational institutions and parents play an equally important role in preventing drug addiction by monitoring their children’s social lives and making them aware of the ill-effects of drugs.

Sharma also called for sensitisation of teachers of government and private schools under the ‘Navchetna Module’ so that students can be educated about the harmful impact of drugs. He directed the police, education and health departments to work in coordination and organise regular awareness camps, especially for the youth, to keep them away from drugs.

The DC instructed the police to strengthen intelligence networks to eradicate synthetic drugs and directed the Health Department to provide counselling to drug-affected youth so that they can reintegrate into society and be protected from social stigma.

Superintendent of Police Abhishek Shekhar assured full cooperation from the police department in eradicating drugs from the district.

Later, the DC also chaired a meeting regarding road safety and traffic management and directed officials to take effective measures for smooth operations. He instructed the Public Works and police departments to install crash barriers at vulnerable spots in the district and ensure smooth regulation of traffic. He also called for organising awareness campaigns to educate the public about road safety rules.