Solan among 272 dists chosen for anti-drug campaign: DC
Solan is among 272 districts chosen at the national level for the Drugs Free India Campaign-2, as the cases of drug abuse has risen. Deputy Commissioner, Solan, Manmohan Sharma, while addressing a workshop here today, said that the campaign would be made successful with the cooperation of all.
He said, “Drug addiction is an evil that adversely affects our entire society, besides having a deleterious effect on the health of the addicts. It also causes economic loss and destroys a person and his family’s social standing.”
He elaborated on a slew of initiatives planned under the campaign and said, “A cannabis uprooting campaign will be launched in Solan district from June 20 to August 31.” To make the campaign successful, he urged the employees of the forest, panchayati raj institutions and health departments and NGOs to identify areas where cannabis plants were found.
He directed officials of the Education Department to make schoolchildren aware about how to keep away from drugs through regular lectures and seek cooperation from the Health Department as well. “Officials and school students should also be made aware about the toll free number 14416 specially created for the mental health patients.”
The Deputy Commissioner said that opium cultivation found anywhere in the district should be destroyed. He directed the Drug Inspector to conduct surprise inspections of drug shops in the district and ensure that no medicine was sold without the prescription of a doctor and act strictly against those failing to adhere to this direction.
The officials of the education, panchayati raj, health, police, excise, transport, tourism, youth services and sports departments were asked to appoint nodal officers and provide valuable suggestions on how to curb drug abuse.
Additional SP, Baddi, Ashok Verma; Additional SP, Solan, Rajkumar Chandel; Assistant Commissioner of State Tax and Excise Department Prem Singh Kayth, Chief Medical Officer, Solan, Dr Rakesh Pratap, District Welfare Officer Gawa Singh Negi, District Panchayat Officer Joginder Rana, Assistant Forest Officer Chandrika Sharma, District Programme Officer of Health and Family Welfare Department Dr Gagandeep Raj Hans, along with officers of various departments and representatives of various non-governmental organisations were present.
Himachal Tribune