Drug menace to be rooted out of Devbhoomi: HP guv

Kullu: Himachal Pradesh governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said on Wednesday that drug menace would be fully eliminated from the ‘Devbhoomi’ through the active participation of panchayat representatives. He emphasised the importance of collective efforts to preserve the sanctity and dignity of the region, ensuring a better future for the youth.
While speaking at the inauguration of a state-level workshop on the ‘role of panchayati raj institutions in combating drug and substance abuse’ organised by the panchayati raj separtment at Raj Bhawan in Shimla, the governor said: “Young people, in particular, are at risk, and if we fail to address this issue effectively, we risk losing our most precious resource — our youth,” said Shukla.
Shukla said the panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) are central to combating this menace and as the closest representatives of the people, they have a unique ability to understand, influence, and support those affected by substance abuse.
“By maintaining close connections with the community, panchayats can identify individuals at risk and help them seek support before addiction takes hold,” said the governor, adding that they could encourage the development of local support groups, rehabilitation programmes, and counselling centres, which provide much-needed resources to those fighting addiction and their families.
The governor also honored the state’s best performing gram panchayats on the occasion.