Shimla rallies against drugs: Admn to launch 15-day awareness drive

The Shimla district administration is set to launch a comprehensive anti-drug campaign culminating in a district-level event on June 26 at the historic Gaiety Theatre, marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap following a special meeting held in Shimla to address the growing menace of drug abuse and illegal narcotics trade.

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As part of the campaign, a series of awareness activities will be rolled out across the district over the next 15 days. These include slogan writing, speech and poetry competitions, street plays, marathons, seminars and workshops — particularly in educational institutions. Kashyap said these competitions would conclude by June 20, after which top-performing students from each school will be selected for the block-level round. The winners at the block level will then compete at the district level, with final selections to be honored during the June 26 programme.

The campaign will also feature academic engagement and expert-led initiatives. A special seminar will be conducted in collaboration with the Department of Social Work at Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. Simultaneously, a workshop will be organised at Himachal Pradesh National Law University in Ghandal. To reach the wider population, the Health Department will dispatch teams of doctors to conduct counseling camps throughout the district, while field staff will lead grassroots awareness drives highlighting the risks associated with drug abuse.

The campaign will run under the larger framework of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. Emphasising a multi-pronged approach, the DC lauded the police department for their ongoing efforts in dismantling several major drug networks in recent months. He, however, stressed that community participation remains vital to eliminating the drug problem from its roots.

Kashyap urged stakeholders working against substance abuse to function effectively at the grassroots level and called upon every section of society to actively engage in the campaign. He further stressed the importance of offering medical and psychological support to youths already affected by drugs, urging hospitals and psychiatrists to step up their efforts. “Parents must also understand and fulfill their responsibilities in this fight. Making Shimla a drug-free district is our top priority and it can only be achieved through a united effort,” he said.