The Shimla police conducted extensive anti-chitta awareness campaigns across the district on Friday, reaching out to students, teachers, panchayat representatives, and community groups to combat drug abuse. The initiative, part of an ongoing anti-drug drive, aimed to educate the public about the harmful effects of drugs, particularly chitta, and to foster community cooperation in building a drug-free society.
Awareness Sessions in Schools
As part of the programme, police held awareness sessions in several schools, including Government Senior Secondary School and Government Senior Secondary School Lalpani, with hundreds of students and teachers participating. During these sessions, students were informed about the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and taught preventive measures against drug abuse. They were also encouraged to immediately alert their teachers or the police if they encountered any drug-related activity, trade, or consumption. The programme concluded with students taking a pledge to stay away from drugs and to spread awareness about their harmful effects.
Engagement with Panchayats and Communities
Special meetings were organised in identified red panchayats of the Jhakri police station area, including Jhakri, Shahdhar Rangori, and Bonda. Panchayat representatives, women’s and youth groups, drug prevention committees, and local dignitaries attended these meetings. Discussions focused on drug prevention strategies, community cooperation, and information sharing, with participants pledging to make their panchayats drug-free. Similarly, meetings of drug prevention committees were held in Sunni Nagar Panchayat and Basantpur Gram Panchayat, both declared red zones in the Sunni police station area. Attendees included panchayat representatives, women’s and youth groups, social workers, and teachers from GSSS Sunni-Basantpur. The meetings delved into the growing threat posed by chitta, the need for greater public awareness, and stronger coordination between police and the community.
Police Commitment and Future Plans
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shimla Gaurav Singh stated that as part of the police’s ongoing anti-drug awareness campaign, extensive public outreach programmes were organised on Friday across various police station areas of the district. “The campaign aims to make youth and the general public aware of the harmful effects of chitta and other drugs, ensure the active participation of society, and strengthen collective efforts towards a drug-free district,” he said. Singh emphasised that the police are continuously striving to create a drug-free and safe society through effective legal action against drug abuse, alongside public awareness, community participation, and youth engagement.
