60-65% youth drug addicts, families in denial: Activist

Mandi, August 18

Addressing mediapersons, Bhumi Adhigrahan Prabhaavit Manch president and social activist BR Kaundal said the growing drug addiction in Mandi, and the entire state, was a cause of concern.

He added that around 60-65 per cent of the youth were struggling with addiction, with families often in denial.

According to Kaundal, about 70 per cent of addiction cases are beyond the reach of law enforcement, and many drug-related cases receive inadequate attention from the police. He alleged that narcotic substances were readily available around schools, colleges and universities due to poor vigilance by the police.

He cited the arrest of 221 drug peddlers by the Shimla police in the past six months as a troubling indicator of the widespread issue.

Government and private lands were being used for growing cannabis and opium, with revenue officials failing to report these activities accurately, he alleged.

To address the problem effectively, he proposed assigning responsibility to village and ward representatives to report addiction issues, boosting the number of de-addiction centres, and empowering women’s groups to play a proactive role in combating addiction. — TNS