Himachal Calling: Drug addiction forcing youths to turn to petty crimes

Addiction to drugs, especially ‘chitta’ (heroin), is forcing youths of the state to turn to petty crimes. In many cases, it has been seen that hundreds of youths across the state have stolen cash and valuables, while in some cases the addicts have also resorted to physical violence.

Family members of several addicts confirmed that they have used threats and violence to get money for drugs. As per the families, the addicts have stolen cash, jewellery and other valuables either from their houses or some other households.

One such instance was narrated by the parents of a drug addict. They said their son used to ask for money for education purposes, but later they came to know that he had been using the money to buy drugs such as ‘chitta’. “When we resisted, he stole his mother’s jewellery kept in the house,” said his father requesting anonymity.

According to the police, till October 31 this year the state has recorded 470 cases of theft with highest number of incidents (67) have been reported in the Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh (BBN) belt.

Talking about the situation in Shimla district, Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said the drug peddling activities were behind many crimes. “After an individual falls into drug addiction the demand for drugs keeps on increasing. Simultaneously, their monetary needs also start mounting,” he said.

“Theft, burglary and extortion are common crimes that the addicts take to. There are examples of snatching and house break-ins, wherein following investigation it was detected that offenders committed these crimes to get money for drugs,” said the SP.

He added that cyber crime is also on the rise as the addicts are looking ways to make money for buying drugs. “It has emerged that many criminals connected to drug-related business resort to hacking and committing online frauds.”

“However, in the recent times, Shimla district has witnessed a steep fall in drug related crimes,” the SP said.

Eradicating drug menace from the state has been a focal point of the State Government. Recently, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the ‘Nasha Mukt Himachal Abhiyan’ to tighten up the noose on drug menace. Under the programme, the focus is on three core areas —prevention, early identification of drug users and the rehabilitation of addicts.

With the campaign, the government aims to involve various departments, including the police, health, education, rural development and youth services, as well as local bodies such as Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Yuvak Mandals, Mahila Mandals and NGOs.

Special attention will be given to high-risk areas, such as industrial hubs, the state capital, educational institutions as well as municipal corporations.

The government aims to spread awareness about the dangers of drugs at grassroots level, ensuring that no community remains untouched by the message of prevention and recovery.