Parents Must Prioritize Quality Time with Children to Solve Their Problems

Workshop Highlights Child Protection and Drug Awareness Initiatives

A special workshop focusing on the Child Sexual Crime Protection Act-2012 and the Swapak Medicine and Mind Effective Substances Act (NDPS Act), 1985, was organized at Bachat Bhawan by the District Social Justice and Empowerment and Women and Child Development Department. Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap attended the event as the chief guest and emphasized the crucial role parents play in safeguarding their children from addiction and abuse.

Home Should Be the First Line of Defense Against Addiction and Abuse

Addressing the workshop, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap stressed that every household should act as a one-stop center for child protection and addiction prevention. He pointed out that parents need to take the lead in resolving their children’s problems at home before seeking external assistance.

He highlighted a concerning trend—parents today are not spending enough time with their children, often replacing engagement with mobile devices. “Parents are the real counselors for their children. They need to guide them about what is right and wrong every moment,” he said.

The Deputy Commissioner also acknowledged the administration’s relentless efforts against drug abuse in Shimla. Under the successful Shimla Police Trust Campaign, several interstate drug networks have been dismantled, and offenders have been put behind bars. However, he urged the public to cooperate with the police by reporting drug-related activities, reassuring that informants’ identities would remain confidential.

Special Awareness Programs to Be Held in Schools

To further strengthen child protection and anti-drug initiatives, the administration plans to organize dedicated awareness days in all schools across the district. On these days, teachers and parents will receive guidance on child protection laws and drug prevention strategies from administrative and health department officials. School management will be responsible for ensuring the participation of all parents. The Deputy Commissioner emphasized that active parental and teacher involvement is key to protecting children from falling prey to addiction and abuse.

Addiction is a Disease, Treatment is Available: Dr. Praveen Bhatia

Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Praveen Bhatia, Deputy Medical Superintendent of Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, highlighted that addiction is a treatable disease. He emphasized that effective treatment is only possible under medical supervision in hospitals. “Many believe that addiction can be cured by giving medicines at home, but real recovery requires continuous monitoring and medical intervention,” he explained.

Dr. Bhatia also raised alarm over the growing number of young addicts in Himachal Pradesh, including a significant rise in female users. Many of them are contracting serious illnesses such as Hepatitis A, B, and C due to drug use. He stressed the need for greater awareness about addiction among girls and society as a whole.

Parents’ Habits Influence Children: Police Superintendent Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi

Police Superintendent Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi pointed out that just a single dose of certain drugs, like ‘chitta,’ is enough to make children and youth addicted. He cautioned that parental habits—such as consuming alcohol, tobacco, or other substances at home—can influence children to follow the same path.

He also revealed alarming statistics: 90% of individuals involved in drug trafficking are young, including girls. Even children from well-off families are falling victim to addiction, with some parents unknowingly funding their children’s drug use. He urged the public to actively participate in the Shimla Police Trust Campaign by reporting drug-related activities and ensuring timely complaints regarding child protection issues.

A Collective Effort is Needed to Fight Drug Abuse: Santosh Sharma

Santosh Sharma, Chairman of the Child Welfare Committee, commended the district administration and police for their efforts. However, he stressed that a real change would only be visible when the entire society joins the fight against drug abuse and child exploitation. “We must turn this into a movement, starting from our homes. Drug peddlers need to be behind bars, and addicts must be given proper treatment and reintegrated into society,” he urged.

Legal Awareness and Government Initiatives

Himachal Pradesh High Court Advocate Sanjeev Suri provided an in-depth understanding of the Child Sexual Crime Protection Act and the NDPS Act. He emphasized the importance of Child Welfare Committee (CWC) reports in legal cases, stating that if the reports are accurate, the accused cannot escape punishment under the law.

The workshop also shed light on the Chief Minister’s Safe Childhood Campaign, which aims to protect children from exploitation and addiction through various initiatives.

Workshop Attendees

The workshop saw participation from District Program Officer Mamta Pal Sharma, school principals, members of the Special Kishore Police Unit, all CDPOs of the district, counselors, child welfare organizations, and other key stakeholders.

The event underscored the urgent need for parental involvement, community cooperation, and strict law enforcement to protect children from drug abuse and exploitation. As the administration continues its efforts, it remains crucial for every household to take responsibility and work collectively towards a safer future for children.