Chandigarh, June 26 –While taking a significant step towards eradicating drug menace in the State, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh Manohar Lal today launched a state-wide drug-free Haryana campaign at a programme organized on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, at Panchkula near here today.
Speaking on this occasion, Sh Manohar Lal said that under the drug-free Haryana campaign, the Saints and Gurus would work closely with the State Government in bringing those involved in the drug menace into the mainstream of the society. Besides, people would be made aware about the ill effects of drugs so that they do not get addicted.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that a multi-pronged strategy should be adopted to break the network of drugs. He urged the people of the state, social institutions and Saints and Gurus to work together with determination under this state-wide drug-free Haryana campaign to build a drug-free Haryana.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also extended birthday wishes to the children who had their birthdays today and presented bouquets to them.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that he had never celebrated his birthday, but this year, he decided to celebrate this day by making a strategy to tackle the two key issues of water scarcity and drug menace. With the same approach, on May 5, he had invited Saint and Gurus of Haryana and held a key meeting with all of them on these two major issues. He said that realizing this approach, the drug-free Haryana campaign is being launched today.
The Chief Minister said that social institutions particularly from the affected areas from Sirsa to Ambala, Yamunanagar, and Panchkula have been invited in today’s programme. “I am happy that today saints, gurus and representatives of various NGOs , de-addiction centres and various ‘Khaps’ have also come to attend this programme. He said that besides the State Government, the social institutions have a key role to play in spreading awareness among the masses regarding the ill effects of drug abuse,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
A new task force will be constituted under the Nasha Mukt Haryana campaign
The Chief Minister further stated that a new task force will be constituted under the Nasha Mukt Haryana campaign. This task force would comprise members from all social and religious organizations, government representatives, police personnel, and representatives of concerned departments. He said that a joint campaign would be run in the State by all the Stakeholders.
He informed that a smartphone app called 'Saathi' has been developed to curb the unlawful sale of pharmaceuticals. The Inter-State Drug Secretariat has been established at Panchkula, and software ‘Hawk’ has been developed to keep a record of the database of illegal activities. Besides this, an awareness campaign is being run in the State. For this, Mission teams have been constituted from village level to the state level. He said that Sant Samaj have also been urged from time to time to interact with the people and motivate them to stay away from the bad habit of drugs.
Any problem or addiction can be overcome by self-confidence, courage and determination
The Chief Minister asserted that we could overcome any problem or addiction with self-confidence, courage, and determination. He said doing regular meditation and yoga also helps in staying away from drugs adding that there is also a need to make the children aware of the ill effects of drugs. He said that some Anti-national forces are also involved in spreading the network of drugs. As smuggling of drugs involves a lot of money, some people get involved in such unlawful activities to earn more money. People should refrain from indulging in these activities, he added.
Earlier, the Chief Minister also administered an oath to the people present on this occasion to stay away from drugs and also encourage others for the same.
Sant Samaj will give full cooperation to the government in the drug free Haryana Campaign, Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj
Speaking on the occasion, Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj said launching the state-wide drug-free campaign today with an aim to eliminate the drug menace shows the commitment of Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal to make Haryana, a drug free state.
He said that during the meeting with the Chief Minister on May 5, the Saints had assured full support and cooperation to the State Government to make the drug-free Haryana campaign a grand success. He said that the State Government's Nasha Mukt Abhiyan would be included in the programmes to be organized under the Jio Gita , added Gyananand Ji Maharaj. He said that there are about 152 drug de-addiction centres in Haryana and efforts would be made to start yoga and exercise in these centres.
Haryana will contribute significantly to the Prime Minister's drug-free India campaign, Sh. Rajesh Khullar
Speaking on the occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture, Sh. Rajesh Khullar said that the Sh Manohar Lal led Haryana Government has adopted a multipronged strategy to fight against the drug menace.
“The launch of ‘Haryana Nasha Mukt Abhiyan’ today is yet another significant step of the State Government towards eradicating this menace from the society. I am hopeful that this step would not only give further momentum to the Prime Minister, Sh Narendra Modi's drug-free India campaign but also help in making Haryana first drug-free state in the country, added Sh. Khullar.
Sh. Rajesh Khullar said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, a study was done in every state and district across the country in the year 2018 to determine the problem of drugs. In the study, 254 such districts were identified where either the problem is severe or was on the verge of becoming serious. These 254 districts also include 16 districts of Haryana. The Prime Minister had launched the drug-free India campaign from Red Fort on August 15, 2020, and since then, the Haryana government has been working tirelessly to make this campaign a huge success, he added.
6044 drug peddlers arrested in Haryana, property worth Rs 52-53 crore attached
Throwing light on the achievement of the present State Government in the fight against drugs, Sh. Rajesh Khullar informed that in 2022 only, 6044 drug peddlers, smugglers or retailers were arrested in Haryana. Apart from that, to make these people economically weak, properties worth about Rs 52-53 crore of drug peddlers were also attached. At present, 152 drug de-addiction centres are operational in the state, shared Sh. Rajesh Khullar.
Sh. Rajesh Khullar said that the State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh Manohar Lal has adopted a policy of zero tolerance against drugs and is gradually making the fight against drugs impenetrable by launching several campaigns. “Setting up of Inter-State Drug Control Authority, having its headquarters at Panchkula, after bringing Chief Ministers of 7 states on a single platform is one of the key steps taken by Sh. Manohar Lal against this social evil informed Sh. Rajesh Khullar.
He said that about 9000 teams of 88,000 members have been formed in the State to eradicate drug menace. Apart from this, the Dhakad programme is also being run.
On this occasion, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh Gian Chand Gupta, Mayor Sh Kulbhushan Goyal, Chairman, Haryana Bureau of Public Enterprises Sh Subhash Barala , saints and gurus and other prominent personalities were also present.