Mins, bureaucrats pledge to make J’khand drug-free

Ranchi: Ministers and senior bureaucrats of the state, on the concluding day of the 12-day statewide anti-drug campaign on Thursday, pledged to make Jharkhand drug-free, emphasising that the initiative must go beyond a govt programme and evolve into a movement driven by social awareness and public participation.On June 15, chief minister Hemant Soren launched the drive, flagging off awareness vehicles from Ranchi.Health minister Irfan Ansari, attending the ceremony, said that the govt’s goal is not just to control drug abuse, but to stop it, ensuring a safe future for the state’s youth. “The govt is committed to bringing all those who are under the shackles of intoxication, to the mainstream. I appeal to the state police to act on repeated complaints about children consuming cough syrups and intoxicants under flyovers promptly and effectively.

”Health department’s additional chief secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh said that Ranchi’s Central Institute of Psychiatry and Rinpas have been offering specialised treatment for de-addiction. “The department is also mulling over recruiting psychiatrists in all districts across the state. Counselling in Sadar hospitals across Jharkhand has been strengthened,” Singh added.Home department’s additional chief secretary Vandana Dadel said that the anti-drug campaign launched in 2024 has received widespread public support across the state.

“This year, around 700 field functionaries were given special training to make the campaign more effective at the grassroots level. Moreover, the govt is continuously carrying out the scientific disposal of narcotics after their seizure,” Dadel added.She said that individuals who provide information about drug traffickers are given an incentive reward of at least Rs 3,000, which may be increased in serious cases, appealing to the public to immediately report any drug-related activities by calling the toll-free helpline number 112.During the programme, voluntary organisations, govt institutions and employees of various departments were felicitated for their outstanding contribution to the anti-drug awareness campaign. District public relations officers of Giridih, Ranchi and Palamu were also accorded special recognition for their exemplary efforts in promoting public awareness initiatives.