Shimla: Drug Suppliers Thrive, Victims Caught—Himachal's Battle Against Narcotics Far From Over...
Drop in at a mechanic khokha, car-washing stand, street vendor stall, dhaba, or chai wala joint in any tourist town or along state and national highways—you’ll likely spot the tell-tale signs of Himachal Pradesh’s deepening drug menace.
In villages, a disturbing number of youth are hooked on one substance or another.
Towns have their own dark corners—shady roads, parking lots, forest patches, abandoned buildings, and isolated spots where addicts gather to take their fix.
Yet, while the state government pats itself on the back with data on arrests and drug seizures, the harsh reality on the ground tells a different story.
Despite crackdowns, the drug trade continues to thrive—often with suppliers escaping the net while users and small-time peddlers face the brunt of law enforcement.
The government, under Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, claims to have intensified its fight against drugs.
A government spokesperson highlighted recent successes: dismantling networks, confiscating illicit assets, and punishing offenders under the NDPS Act and PIT NDPS Act, 1988.
In 2024, police arrested 2,515 individuals in drug-related cases and seized 368.20 kg of charas, 36.20 kg of opium, 11.14 kg of heroin, 668.67 kg of poppy husk, and 33.64 kg of ganja.
Nearly 3.8 lakh poppy plants and over 3.7 million cannabis plants were destroyed, along with the seizure of nearly 2.9 crore psychotropic substance tablets.
The government also confiscated illegal properties worth ₹9 crore and is upgrading forensic labs to boost investigations.
Sounds impressive on paper. But ask locals, and they’ll tell you the bigger fish often slip through the cracks.
The arrests mostly involve users or small-time peddlers—easy targets compared to the larger drug networks operating across state borders.
Even within law enforcement, corruption remains a concern. Despite strict action against police personnel and government employees found colluding with traffickers, the nexus between suppliers and some officials is far from broken.
Meanwhile, communities are stepping up where the system falls short. In Shimla, Kagnadhar ward councilor has formed a committee of residents to identify and report drug peddlers, tired of waiting for authorities to act.
But such grassroots efforts can only go so far without sustained support from law enforcement and rehabilitation services.
Recognizing the need for better rehabilitation, IGMC Shimla has started free OPD clinics to treat victims of substance abuse.
Yet, the stigma around addiction often prevents users from seeking help.
Experts stress the need for more accessible rehabilitation centers, increased awareness, and support systems to help addicts rebuild their lives.
The government is gearing up to introduce the Himachal Pradesh Anti-Drug Act in the next Vidhan Sabha session, promising stricter penalties for repeat offenders and a more rehabilitation-focused approach for first-time users.
A newly approved Special Task Force (STF) on Narcotics and Organized Crime is also expected to strengthen enforcement.
However, locals remain skeptical. “We've seen crackdowns before, but the supply never really stops. Until the big players are taken down and corruption within the system is rooted out, this problem will keep coming back,” says a resident of Shimla’s Sanjauli area, a known hotspot for drug activity.
The battle against drugs in Himachal Pradesh is far from over. While the government’s data-driven achievements paint a picture of progress, the streets tell a story of a war still raging—one where too often, the victims pay the highest price.
