Drug-Free India Campaign meet held by Sirmaur administration

Under the chairmanship of Additional District Magistrate LR Verma, a meeting regarding the Drug-Free India Campaign was organised today at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Sirmaur.

The Welfare Department hosted the event, which focussed on strengthening local efforts to tackle the growing issue of substance abuse. During the meeting, Verma said the campaign was launched nationwide on August 15, 2020, initially covering 272 districts.

In its second phase, 100 more districts were included, with Sirmaur joining the mission.

In April 2024, a dedicated Drug-Free India Campaign Committee was formed under the leadership of the Sirmaur DC, Verma added.

The committee’s objectives aligned closely with the responsibilities of the ANA Card Committee, focusing on reducing drug usage in the region, he said.

To enhance community outreach, 50 master volunteers were selected from the Education Department, Youth Services and Sports Department, Nehru Yuva Kendra and the Kalgidhar Trust.

These volunteers received specialised one-day training, and are now equipped to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drugs, and provide information to the public.

Verma urged residents to download the Nasha Mukt application, which enables them to report any drug-related activities to the police.

District Welfare Officer Vivek Arora presented the National Action Plan, which aims to curb drug demand through awareness, capacity-building, prevention, rehabilitation, livelihood, and skill development.

He said the Central Government has sanctioned a budget of Rs 1 million to support these activities, with the campaign expected to launch in Sirmaur once the funds are received.

The meeting also featured presentations from the Police Department about the ongoing initiatives and educational programs aimed at reducing substance abuse among youth in local educational institutions.

The Excise and Taxation Department discussed its contributions to these efforts. Superintendent of Police Raman Kumar Meena, Assistant Commissioner (Excise and Taxation) Himanshu, Deputy Director (Agriculture) Raj Kumar, Dr Vinod Sangal from the Health Department, Drug Inspector Dr Monika from Paonta Sahib, representatives from Kalgidhar Trust, and officials from various departments were among those present at the event.

The participants reaffirmed their commitment to making Sirmaur a drug-free district, and discussed collaborative approaches to tackle drug abuse effectively across the region.