Young voices rise against chitta

In a powerful show of solidarity, thousands of young people from across Himachal Pradesh poured onto the Ridge in Shimla to take part in an anti-chitta awareness walkathon, marking one of the state’s biggest collective actions against drug abuse. The event aimed to rally public consciousness around the escalating threat of chitta, a heroin-based, highly addictive powder that has seeped deep into student communities.

Students from leading schools, colleges and universities turned up in overwhelming numbers, transforming the city’s iconic Ridge into a sea of placards, slogans and determination. Their message was simple and urgent: Himachal must reclaim its future from the grip of synthetic heroin.

Chitta, locally known as brown sugar, smack or synthetic heroin, remains alarmingly cheap and easily accessible. Mixed with various chemicals, it hooks youngsters quickly and the police say it is now one of the most commonly abused substances in the state.

“It’s encouraging to see the government and police take this initiative. Youth participation is crucial if we want a drug-free Himachal,” said Peeyush Sharma, a student of APG Shimla University.

Police records underscore the gravity of the crisis. Between 2024 and 2025, over 1,300 NDPS cases were registered, a significant portion linked to chitta. Districts like Shimla, Kangra, Una, Solan and Mandi are witnessing the highest vulnerability among young people. Officials attribute the drug’s spread to interstate trafficking routes, unemployment, peer pressure and aggressive promotion through social media. Dealers often lure beginners with free samples before turning them into paying customers, and in many cases, eventual peddlers.

The rise is stark. Between January 1 and September 30 this year, chitta seizures jumped by 28.2%. Police seized 10.92 kg of heroin during this period, compared with 7.8 kg seized last year.

For the thousands who walked in unison, the message was clear: the fightback has begun.