Chandigarh Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday chaired the first meeting of the SANKALP Society and directed officers to draw up a comprehensive, coordinated strategy to make Haryana drug-free and protect its youth from addiction. He said active participation by every section of society, alongside the government, was essential to safeguard the future of young people and effectively curb the drug menace.
The Chief Minister outlined seven key sankalps: making police station jurisdictions drug-free; ensuring districts are free of drug traffickers; keeping chemist shops free of narcotic pills; securing family support in the fight against drugs; ensuring hospitals provide treatment; equipping schools to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drugs, provide student counselling and promote a safe learning environment; and giving young people better opportunities to participate in sports and other positive activities.
The Chief Minister said the government’s resolve is clear—a drug-free Haryana and a secure future for our youth. He directed officers to ensure that action against drug trafficking did not stop at the person selling drugs. Investigations must establish where the drugs came from and identify the network behind their supply. He called for strict surveillance of supply sources and trafficking networks, along with effective investigations and appropriate legal action against traffickers in coordination with the police.
*SANKALP Society to report results every month; accountability to be fixed at every level*
The Chief Minister issued clear directions that the SANKALP Society must present concrete results of its work every month. Progress would be assessed in reducing the availability of drugs, connecting young people with treatment services and preventing relapse. Accountability, he said, must be fixed at every level.
He said the government is organising marathons, cyclothons and other public awareness activities to educate young people about the harmful effects of drugs. The purpose of the campaign, however, is to secure a lasting solution to the problem.
The SANKALP Society would also have to track how many young people were referred to de-addiction centres, how many completed treatment and whether they remained free of addiction afterwards. Alongside treatment, sustained follow-up, rehabilitation and family support must receive special attention, he said.
The Chief Minister said assistance must reach every person affected by addiction. Young people must have access to positive opportunities, proper guidance and an environment that helps them stay away from drugs. The government had established the SANKALP Society for this purpose.
The Society would strengthen coordination among the Home, Health, Education, Social Justice and Empowerment, Women and Child Development departments and other departments concerned, ensuring effective action at every stage, from prevention to treatment and rehabilitation.
He said Haryana’s youth had immense potential, and both the government and society had a responsibility to provide them with the right direction, opportunities and support. Along with the administration, families, teachers, panchayats, social organisations and elected representatives must play their part in the fight against drugs.
The government’s goal, he said, was to ensure that Haryana’s young people were healthy, aware, self-reliant and committed to nation-building, while the state made tangible progress towards a drug-free society.
Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Department, Smt. G. Anupama; Principal Secretary, School Education Department, Sh. Vijay Dahiya, Commissioner and Secretary, Women and Child Development Department, Sh. Shekhar Vidyarthi, Commissioner and Secretary, Urban Local Bodies Department, Sh. Ashok Meena, Director, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr. Aditya Dahiya, ADGP, Sh. Sanjay Kumar; SANKALP Society CEO Sh. O. P. Singh and officers from other departments.