Sukhu Says Himachal Firm on Drug Traffickers, Compassionate to Addicts

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has said the state has no place for those who sell heroin, locally called chitta, and destroy the lives of young people for money. Speaking at an anti-chitta awareness walkathon in Una district on Wednesday, he described the government's policy on the illegal drug trade as clear and uncompromising, and said strict legal action would be taken against sellers and traffickers.

At the same time, the Chief Minister said the government would take a compassionate approach toward young people already caught in addiction, extending all possible support to help them recover and return to normal life.

Sukhu said the police were continuing action to dismantle drug networks and catch traffickers, but stressed that enforcement alone could not win the fight. He noted that while the police can arrest a trafficker and the government can frame laws, it is family, friends, teachers and society that can prevent a child from taking drugs for the first time.

Urging young people to become soldiers of the anti-drug campaign, he asked them not to stay silent if they come across the sale of drugs, and said the participation of all sections of society was needed to eradicate the menace.

Separately in Chandigarh, the Press Information Bureau, in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Bureau, held an event called Vartalap to spread awareness about a vision document for 2026-29, tied to the central government's resolve to make India drug-free by 2029. Amanjit Singh, zonal director of the NCB in Chandigarh, Raj Kumar, additional director general (Media) at the Ministry of Home Affairs, and Sapna, deputy director of PIB Chandigarh, took part in the discussions.

According to an official statement, the vision document's roadmap envisages a network-centric enforcement approach. It outlines measures to address challenges posed by synthetic drugs and darknet-enabled trafficking, prevent drug abuse among the youth, expand access to treatment and rehabilitation centres, and strengthen coordinated action over the next three years.