In a decisive move to curb the growing menace of drugs in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhuon Tuesday announced the special deployment of CID and police personnel across 234 panchayats identified as highly sensitive to narcotics. Speaking at the sixth state-level meeting of the Narcotics Coordination Centre (NCC) in Dharamshala, Sukhu highlighted the gravity of the drug situation, particularly the spread of ‘chitta’, a semi-synthetic opioid derived from heroin, also referred to as adulterated heroin. The chief minister’s address underscored the government’s multi-pronged approach to combat drug trafficking, strengthen enforcement, and promote awareness campaigns targeting youth and vulnerable communities.

During the meeting, Sukhu disclosed startling details regarding the involvement of government employees in narcotics operations. Investigations revealed that 60 government employees, including 15 police personnel, were implicated in chitta trafficking. While five individuals have already been dismissed, the government has initiated legal proceedings against the remaining accused. The chief minister instructed officials to submit complete details of all implicated government employees by December 10, emphasizing that transparency and accountability within public institutions are critical to curbing the drug trade. In a significant policy shift, Sukhu also mandated drug testing for all government recruitments, signaling zero tolerance for narcotics involvement in public service.

In addition to enforcement actions, the chief minister announced a series of awareness and preventive initiatives. Anti-chitta walkathons will be organized at district and sub-division levels to educate communities about the dangers of drug consumption. Efforts to strengthen anti-drug clubs, prahari clubs, and peer education programs in schools and colleges were highlighted as key components of the campaign. Sukhu stressed the role of educational institutions in sensitizing youth, particularly in rural areas, about the lethal consequences of chitta, which commands a price of ₹4,000–7,000 per gram and can prove fatal even in small doses due to its high potency.

The Chief Minister directed officials to intensify ongoing anti-narcotics campaigns, aiming for the elimination of chitta and other narcotic substances from the state. Representatives from several central agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the Postal Department, and the Railway Protection Force (RPF), participated in the meeting alongside senior state government officers. Sukhu instructed deputy commissioners to establish anti-drug committees in the most vulnerable panchayats and directed NCORD (the state’s nodal anti-drug agency) to conduct regular meetings in each district, ensuring continuous monitoring and coordinated enforcement.

Further reinforcing accountability, the Chief Minister urged youth organizations, mahila mandals, members of panchayati raj institutions, and other voluntary organizations to actively participate in creating a drug-free state. Officials were also instructed to identify properties acquired through the drug trade and submit reports to the government by December 10. Sukhu warned that these properties would be demolished and strict legal action taken against those involved. Surveillance on cannabis cultivation was intensified, pharmaceutical units were subjected to thorough inspections, and the Prosecution Directorate was directed to expedite appeals in NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) cases, review acquittals, and improve conviction rates.

A notable addition to the anti-drug strategy is the inclusion of drug-control parameters in the annual confidential reports of government officers. Metrics related to supply, demand, and harm reduction will now factor into evaluations, further embedding anti-drug responsibilities within official performance assessments. The government is also launching a ‘chitta information reward scheme’, aimed at converting the anti-chitta campaign into a mass movement. Informants providing credible information on chitta operations stand to receive rewards ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹10 lakh, incentivizing citizens to actively participate in intelligence gathering and community vigilance.

Highlighting the progress achieved under the current administration, Sukhu stated that over the past three years, 5,642 NDPS cases have been registered in Himachal Pradesh, marking a 28% increase compared to previous periods. These efforts resulted in 8,216 arrests and the seizure of 36.657 kilograms of chitta, reflecting the state police’s proactive approach. The government has also implemented the PIT-NDPS Act, detained 46 notorious traffickers, and confiscated illegal assets worth ₹48 crore. These measures collectively signal a strengthened institutional resolve to dismantle drug networks operating across the state.

The Chief Minister also provided updates on recent coordinated anti-drug operations. During statewide Naka operations held on November 17 and 18, authorities inspected 16,441 vehicles, registered 13 NDPS cases, and seized a substantial quantity of narcotics. On November 22, simultaneous raids at 121 locations disrupted ten major trafficking networks. Furthermore, a special operation conducted around educational institutions on November 25 included inspections of 41 campuses and 598 shops, resulting in 12 cases and the issuance of 385 challans. These actions underscore the government’s commitment to targeting drug distribution channels at multiple levels, from urban markets to rural supply chains.

Alongside his focus on anti-drug initiatives, Chief Minister Sukhu also unveiled the official jersey of the Dharamshala Marathon 2025, scheduled for December 25. The marathon, organized by the Dharamshala Municipal Corporation in collaboration with the district administration, seeks to promote fitness, sports tourism, and public engagement in physical activity. The event will feature multiple categories, including a full marathon, half-marathon, and shorter distance races, with registration now open through the marathon’s official website. The initiative reflects the civic body’s efforts to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle among residents while also showcasing the scenic beauty of the Dhauladhar foothills to national and international participants.

In summation, Himachal Pradesh under Chief Minister Sukhu has embarked on an assertive and multifaceted campaign against narcotics, focusing particularly on the highly lethal drug chitta. The state’s strategy combines stringent enforcement, including the deployment of CID and police personnel, legal and administrative reforms, such as drug testing and confidential report integration, and community-oriented preventive measures, including educational programs, awareness campaigns, and reward incentives. By involving multiple stakeholders—from central agencies and local administration to youth groups and voluntary organizations—the government aims to create a holistic, sustained approach to combating drug abuse. At the same time, initiatives like the Dharamshala Marathon highlight the administration’s broader vision of promoting health, fitness, and civic engagement, offering citizens constructive alternatives to the lure of narcotics.

With an array of ongoing inspections, coordinated raids, and public engagement initiatives, Himachal Pradesh is taking a comprehensive stand to safeguard its youth and communities from the scourge of drug abuse, striving to make the state both drug-free and health-conscious, while demonstrating a model of coordinated governance and citizen participation in public safety.

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