Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Tuesday said that region-specific policies are being prepared to put an end to the menace of drugs in the State, which has been divided into three zones for this purpose.
Vij said that under the multi-pronged approach being adopted by the State Government for developing ‘drug-free Haryana’, a framework is being prepared to implement policies which would focus specifically on the National Capital Region, districts bordering Punjab, and other districts of the State.
Special emphasis would be laid on preventing drug trafficking and consumption among youth in districts bordering Punjab, he added. The Health Minister said that youth would be encouraged to say no to drugs by providing them with education and therapy.
A policy comprising development schemes for the youth would be framed to keep them away from drugs. Under this policy, they would be encouraged to participate in skill development, social welfare, sports and yoga training programmes and cultural activities so as to channelise their energy in the right direction. However, strict action would be taken against those found indulging in drug use, he added.
The Health Minister said that de-addiction centres would be established in all districts of the state and the existing centres would be made more active. The Health Department would soon select Civil Hospitals for setting up de-addiction centres.
Also, online tracking of scheduled drugs would be carried out by the Food and Drugs Administration. And, strict action would be taken by the Police and Excise and Taxation Department against those found selling illicit liquor or trafficking narcotics.
The Minister said that any person could provide information about people involved in drug trade through SMS while maintaining anonymity.
A state-level Coordination Committee is being constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Director General of Police and at district level, committees are being constituted under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner concerned. Monthly meeting of these committees would be conducted to review the latest situation, he added.
Notably, Haryana has registered 743 cases of drug trafficking this year till October 2015, as per the Narcotics Control Bureau. last year, 840 such cases were
registered under NDPS Act while in 2013, 843 cases of drug trafficking were registered in the state.
Till October last year, the Police had seized1159.91 kg poppy husk, 2184.08 kg poppy straw, 303.26 kg Ganja, 626.87 kg Hashish, 4.70 kg heroin, 90.93 kg opium, 297 kg tablets of all types, 13.78 kg of other manufactured drugs, from various districts of the state, as per NCB.