But will Pradhav campaign lead the fight to finish?
Or will Pradhav meet the same fate as was the case with the similar series of NishaNiwaran campaigns launched in the past to wipe out the drugs in the state.
If one maps the “exact scale and dimension of the drug problem" in each village, town and city in Himachal Pradesh, one gets the shocking stories of youngsters even older ones how they were hooked to the drugs and "how they were forced to dose to death".
The drug cartels are not only targeting the children enrolled in the mushrooming tuition and coaching shops, private technical teaching institutions, colleges and universities mainly in Shimla, Solan, Mandi, Kangra, Hamirpur, Kullu.
But they are also targeting the school children and unemployed youth even in villages and small towns across the state.
There are shocking stories of youth who have been trapped in the drug-net ruining their health and career.
Their parents have become clueless as to what to do to save their children due to the stigma attached to drug addiction.
The people in villages know who are the suppliers, but they cannot take on them due to non-cooperation from co-villagers.
The village community as a whole need to be roped in to expose the drug network at the village and small towns level.
Keeping politics out, Pradhans, Vice-Pradhans, ward members and NGOs need to join hands with the villagers to fight out and win war against drugs.
The victims of drug addiction and their families need their sustained care and support to rehabilitate them without stigma for a secure life and future.
The "helpers" also need proper education and those who do not fall in line, their place is the jail, said the students.
If one goes by the police Pradhav campaign, the police officials say the campaign aims at collecting the ideas of the youth of the state in the 16-25 year age group to fight the menace of drug abuse.
The campaign was started with a brainstorming session at Police Headquarters, Shimla on 23rd February, 2023 in which students of various institutions actively participated.
A jury of informed members of the society was formed. The Jury came out with 5 problem statements to fight drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Himachal.
The police have now thrown open these five statements as themes for the next phase of “प्रधाव्”-Wipe out drugs campaign.
The contest has been declared open on 13th March, 2023 with the launch of the five themes by Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shiv Pratap Shukla.
Only bonafide Himachali residents and Students studying in educational institutions of H.P for atleast for the last 3 years are eligible for the contest.
Having an AADHAR Number and gmail account is mandatory for filling out the registration form.
Last date for registration is 14th of April, 2023.
The eligible students can participate in the event and submit their responses by logging on to the Himachal Pradesh Police’s official website www.hppolice.gov.in or by following the link: https://forms.gle/q991QjrS5nCNTueT9.
The five themes are:
1 Rampant Addiction in the state, why and how?
- Strategies for Reduction in Demand of Drugs
- Strategies for Reduction in Supply of Drugs
- Best Strategies for Rehabilitation and Readjustment
- Developing Anti-drug abuse Robustness and addressing issues of dysfunctional families
The police spokesperson says that a district level and range level event is planned for 10th of May 2023 and 24th of May 2023 respectively to further refine the proposals.
The grand finale of the event is scheduled for 26th of June 2023 at Shimla on the occasion of International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
It is on this day that that the police will select and shortlist the three best proposals.
They will get a prize of Rs 1.5 lakh, Rs 1 lakh and Rs 75,000 respectively.
But will the story of Pradhav and fight against drugs end there? Will the victims get new lease of life?
Will They shun drugs and families get out of the stress and a new dawn begin in their life?
These questions still hover in the airs to find answers. But then state governor Shiv Pratap Shukla has resolved to win the war against drugs in Himachal.
