Kullu: Notorious for high quality charas, the district administration and the police have asked the youth, non government organisations (NGOs) and the people at large to participate in the statewide cannabis destroying and weeding out the plant campaign that was launched here today.
Making an appeal to the youth to stay away from drugs, district magistrate Hans Raj Chauhan asked them to come forward to spread awareness about the harmful effects of hallucinating drugs.
Speaking at a function here Chauhan said, ”we all know that student’s have the power to make or mar the future of nation. If we look at today’s challenges, drug abuse among youth is one of the biggest menace and if this menace is brought under control no one can stop our county’s path towards fast development.”
The cannabis eradication campaign started today will continue till 5th September.
School students, NGO’s, mahila mandal’s (women’s clubs), yuva clubs (youth clubs) government employees and people from all walks of life also did take part in an anti-drug awareness rally on the occasion. For school children a painting competition was organised
Earlier, where only the police and anti drug enforcing agencies were involved in the cannabis eradication drive in the district, this is the first that the whole district administration has come together to contain the menace.
ADC Vinay Singh, SP Padam Chand , ASP Nishchint Singh Negi , Homeguard commandant Nihal Chand, officers from different department and heads of various local authorities were present for launch of the drive.
Cannabis grows in the wild abundantly in the mid hills of Himachal Pradesh and was once a traditional crop harnessed for its seeds and hemp to make ropes and shoes. Given the high price that charas (hashish) commands in the local and international markets, a drug mafia has taken hold of the trade and remote regions of Kullu are major growing areas of the illegal crop.
As both the crop and the hashish have been declared contraband products, the police and anti narcotic bureau for the past many years has been trying to destroy crops of opium and charas, mainly in Kullu valley.
“Taking a serious note of the spread of charas use among the youth, the state government has decided to extend the cannabis eradication drive with an anti-drugs awareness campaign throughout the state,” Onkar Sharma, secretary youth services and sports said.
A theater artist, a script writer and a TV anchor, news is something that grips Renuka. She lives in Kullu.
