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Shimla, April 2 (). Himachal Pradesh, a picturesque state situated in the Himalayas, is known for its natural beauty and tranquility. However, in recent years, the state has been grappling with a drug problem. This has become a major cause of concern for the state, especially the youth.
The state, known for illegal cultivation of bhang, hashish, charas and the popular Malana cream, is now inundated with chitta and drugs like its neighboring Punjab.
Himachal Pradesh Police data analysis of Register 29 maintained in all police stations to keep a tab on drug peddlers reveals that nearly 60 per cent of drug addicts in the state have started taking Chitta. This has added a new dimension to the drug menace in the state.
An official, on the condition of anonymity, said that Himachal Pradesh currently has 3,000 jail inmates, of which 40.8 percent are imprisoned for drug-related offences.
Of these prisoners, 68 per cent are undertrials, while the remaining 32 per cent are convicted. The official revealed that the state’s correctional department has requested the government to increase the prison capacity to 5,000 in response to the growing problem. Apart from this, more than 8 thousand cases of NDPS are going on in various courts. Of these, about 7,000 cases are pending.
Once upon a time, the only intoxicant of the state, cannabis was confined to the Kullu valley. According to sources, its demand is still high and the illegal business of drug cartels is booming.
The ancient Aryan village of Malana in Himachal Pradesh is known all over the world as a paradise for those who seek altitude in the mountains. The oily and aromatic Malana cream is considered the purest form of hashish and is obtained from cannabis grown illegally in the Parvati Valley by the locals.
The international popularity of this drug still brings thousands of tourists to the village. The economy of the area has boomed after a boom in the demand for Malana cream.
Malana cream is not limited to Himachal Pradesh, it is smuggled to other states across the country.
According to reports, Himachal Pradesh has also become a transit hub for drug trafficking due to its proximity to the Golden Crescent. Drug mafias are using innovative methods to smuggle drugs into the state, such as hiding drugs in vehicles or using drones to transport them. The situation has become so serious that the state government has declared war on drugs and several measures have been taken to curb this illegal activity.
Gurdeep Singh, a resident of Kullu, who is spreading awareness about drugs in the state, said, “One of the reasons for increasing drug addiction in Himachal Pradesh is the lack of awareness among people. Many youth are unaware of the dangers of drug abuse and the consequences it can have on their health and future. The government has taken several initiatives. Awareness programs have been launched to educate people about the dangers of drugs and the need to stay away from them.
Another challenge in tackling the drug menace in Himachal Pradesh is the lack of resources and infrastructure, he said. The state has a difficult terrain and limited resources, making it challenging for law enforcement agencies to track and apprehend drug traffickers.
To deal with the drug menace, the state government has set up special task forces and drug rehabilitation centres, Singh said. The government is working closely with various organizations and NGOs to create awareness about drug abuse and provide rehabilitation support to drug addicts.
In recent times some pharmaceutical firms were caught illegally producing and selling opioids including Chitta (adulterated heroin) in Himachal’s Baddi near India’s pharmaceutical hub Solan.
The police conduct special operations every year to destroy hundreds of acres of illegally grown cannabis. But the most worrying thing is that an increasing number of people, especially the youth, are getting attracted to Chitta.
An official said drug addicts from affluent families are turning into peddlers to manage their daily chitta dose and are making new people fall prey to it.
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