Why Himachal is Screening The White Truth in Every School
We all know the news isn’t great. Himachal Pradesh has been seeing a troubling rise in drug abuse, especially among young people. Synthetic drugs like Chitta are far too easy to get, and more students are getting pulled into a trap that’s heartbreakingly hard to escape.
So, what’s being done about it ?
Starting now, every government school and college across the state will screen a web series called ‘The White Truth’. It’s produced by the Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti (HGVS) – the same organization that led the state’s literacy movement back in the 90s. They’ve never stopped working on real social issues, and this is their latest effort to reach young minds before it’s too late.
The word has come straight from the top. The Director of Higher Education and the Director of School Education have written to principals across Himachal, asking them to make time for these screenings. Not just for students, but for teachers and staff too. The idea is simple: start an honest conversation. The police chief has also asked district officers to spread the series as widely as possible online – on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram – wherever young people actually spend their time.
What makes this web series different?
It’s not a boring lecture. ‘The White Truth’, directed by Suryansh Pundir and co-directed by Amit (Banni), dives into the real, messy, painful side of addiction. It talks about:
· Why young people actually start using drugs
· The social shame that keeps families silent
· How parents can spot trouble and help
· The ugly truth behind the drug trade
· What recovery and coming back to normal life really looks like
It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s made by young people themselves – driven by their own energy and concern.
Why Himachal is taking this so seriously
Let’s not sugarcoat it. The situation has gotten scary. Drug trafficking is on the rise. Just recently, four police officers – who were actually part of a special task force meant to stop drug smuggling – were caught allegedly trafficking drugs themselves. That tells you how deep the problem goes.
And despite walkathons, awareness drives, and tougher action on paper, the results haven’t come fast enough. Kids are falling through the cracks.
What people are saying
Satyawan Pundir, State Secretary of HGVS, puts it plainly: “Students often fall prey to drugs due to peer pressure. They get trapped in organised networks that specifically target young people. Spreading awareness through this web series will certainly awaken youth about the dangers.”
He’s not wrong. A friend offers something “just once.” A bad day turns into a bad habit. Before you know it, you’re in way over your head.
On International Women’s Day, HGVS also launched another heartfelt campaign called ‘Mothers Against Addiction’. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu kicked it off in Nahan. The goal? Help mothers understand addiction better so they can guide their kids through it – without shame, without denial, but with real love and action.
The bottom line
‘The White Truth’ isn’t just another government initiative. It’s a wake-up call from people who live in the same communities, who see what’s happening to their kids, and who refuse to stay quiet. If you’re a parent, a teacher, or a young person yourself – watch it. Talk about it. Because the drug crisis doesn’t care about your background or your grades. And pretending it’s someone else’s problem? That’s a luxury none of us can afford anymore.
