Integrated Drug Prevention Policy on the anvil to be launched soon in Himachal
Advisor and Convener of HP State Nasha Nivaran Board Om Prakash Sharma has said the Integrated Drug Prevention Policy would be launched soon in the state.
The HPSNNB headed by the Chief Minister has prepared a multidimensional strategy to strictly deal with the drug menace.
Addressing a webinar on the issue here today Mr Sharma said that “Drug Menace, Human Rights Violation and Solution” organized by Umang Foundation, Shimla under its series on human rights awareness to mark Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsa.
He said a human rights approach should be adopted towards the drug users as they are the victims, not criminals.
Ajai Srivastava, member of state mental health authority and chairman of the foundation said where there are drugs,
human rights violations are obvious to happen. Drugs have direct connection with human rights violation. As many as 75 youth from universities and colleges participated in the webinar.
Renowned expert Om Prakash Sharma said 10 out of 12 districts of the state are in the grip of drugs. About 300 MT of charas and 10 MT heroin is illegally produced in the state. A large quantity of drugs is smuggled to India and Himachal Pradesh from across the border. State government is putting all its efforts to curb the menace.
He said according to one survey, 37 percent of inmates admitted in Drug Addiction Centers in the state are addicted to chitta and 36 percent are alcoholic. He quoted a report of central ministry of social justice and empowerment which says that 272 districts of the country are in the grip of drugs.
He said there are 65 drug addiction centers in the state and human rights violations are common in most of these centers which are run in a non professional manner.
He revealed that apart from other things, Integrated Drug Prevention Policy focuses on a multidimensional approach including chapters on the drug issue in syllabus of 9th class and above, motivating children and youth to practice Yoga, Meditation, sports and adopt other healthy hobbies like book reading etc.
