With almost 112 cases of drug smuggling registered every month in Himachal Pradesh, the government is now mulling to train teachers and parents to prevent youth from falling prey to the menace.

As per the information tabled in HP Assembly, the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) would prepare training module for parents and teachers.

The SCERT would train them on anti-drug activities and to join them in the government’s campaign.

Under new initiatives, focus would be laid on indentifying symptoms of drugs addiction among youth and provide counseling for corrective measures in consultation with the principals and parents during school health check-ups.

Apart from giving wide publicity to anti-drug campaign, efforts would be made to further strengthen helpline 104 to make it 24X7 and provide counseling on drug abuse.

A chapter would also be included in school curriculum up to Class V and debates, plays and painting competition on the drug abuse would be regularly organised at school and college level.

Further, a slot in the morning assembly would be dedicated wherein teachers would aware students on ill effects of drug abuse.

As per the data, a total of 788 cases were registered under the NDPS Act till 31 July and a total of 1002 smugglers including 9 foreign nationals were arrested.

Under the existing campaign of the government, 1025 Schools have been covered in the state during the present year for sensitisation towards the drug menace.

Besides, 1023 Mahila Mandals and self help groups (SHG) have also been sensitised during the year and 2,05,835 citizens have been covered under the awareness campaign carried out by HP Police till date.

Nasha Nivaran Samitis have also been constituted in all the police stations of the state to disseminate the ill-effects of drugs and to collect intelligence on drug smugglers.

In addition, a celebrity campaign against drug abuse with celebrities from the entertainment and sports world has also been undertaken by the Himachal Police.

So far, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, Governor Acharya Devvrat, Bollywood stars Kangana Ranaut and Anupam Kher have also appealed against drug abuse on Facebook and Twitter.

A strategic vigil is being maintained outside educational institutions to keep a watch on drug peddlers and random checks are also being carried out in eateries and shops to seize contrabands and apprehend peddlers.

Educational institutions have also been requested to install CCTV cameras.
It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Minister took the initiative to convene a meeting on 20 August of Chief Ministers of neighbouring states of Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh to make joint efforts to curb the drug menace.

The government is also planning to open at least 04 de-addiction centers.
Rehabilitation Centers with the help of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, National Hydro Power Corporation and other companies would be opened under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding.