SHIMLA -The Senior judge of High Court of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, who is Executive Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority(HPSLSA), virtually launched a special campaign in coordination with the Himachal Pradesh Police to raise awareness and sensitize people about the dangers of drug abuse.
The campaign was launched at 48 Sub-Divisional Legal Services Committees and 69 Village Legal Care & Support Centers across the state.
The aim is to utilize the local bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions at the grassroots level to intervene and prevent drug abuse.
The weeklong campaign, starting on the launch day and concluding on June 26, 2023, coinciding with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, seeks to address the global issue of drug abuse., informed Prem Pal Ranta, Member-secretary, HPSLSA.
This year's theme for the international day is "People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention."
Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan highlighted that drug abuse is a complex problem affecting all segments of society, particularly youth, children, and adolescents.
The rise in drug trafficking and abuse has serious implications for the health and economy of individuals, families, and the nation as a whole.
To combat this issue effectively, the State Legal Services Authority collaborated with the Himachal Pradesh Police Department for coordinated efforts to eradicate drug abuse and provide support for treatment and rehabilitation to affected individuals and families.
Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan also mentioned the "NALSA (Legal Services to the Victims of Drug Abuse and Eradication of Drug Menace) Scheme, 2015," which aims to create awareness about the legal provisions, policies, programs, and schemes related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
The scheme provides essential legal services to victims of drug trafficking and abuse through Special Units established in all sub-divisions of the state. These units identify drug addicts, facilitate their admission to de-addiction and rehabilitation centers, conduct awareness programs, and inspect these facilities.
In conclusion, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan commended the participants for their active involvement in the campaign, emphasizing their concern and sensitivity towards the rising issue of drug abuse.
The campaign's objectives include spreading awareness about legal provisions, policies, and the harmful effects of drug abuse, educating parents, teachers, and students about the dangers of substance abuse, sensitizing stakeholders about effective measures to combat drug abuse, utilizing local bodies for intervention and prevention, and raising awareness among chemists to monitor the sale of prescription drugs to children and youth.
Over 6,300 individuals from 65 remote locations throughout the state participated in the virtual launch event, said Ranta.
About 117 camps will be organized at various committees and centers, along with virtual awareness and sensitization programs, he added.
This campaign holds significant importance among all the initiatives conducted by the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority against drug abuse.
