Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to roll out a comprehensive and large-scale campaign aimed at achieving a Drug-Free Uttarakhand. Chairing a high-level meeting at his residence, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for strict enforcement, cross-departmental coordination, and community awareness to curb the rising threat of narcotics in the state.
Strict Action Under NDPS Act
The Chief Minister instructed authorities to ensure that offenders are booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act without leniency. He called for the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) to be further strengthened, adding that the creation of new posts would be considered to enhance its operational capacity.
Dhami stressed that the campaign must be visible and impactful, focusing not only on law enforcement but also on preventive measures. “Every department must work together to build a future where the youth of Uttarakhand are free from the clutches of drugs,” he said.
Promotion of National Helpline and Awareness Drives
A key part of the initiative will be the widespread promotion of the national narcotics helpline ‘MANAS – 1933’, enabling citizens to report drug-related activities. The Chief Minister directed the police, health, education, and social welfare departments to collaborate in holding workshops, seminars, and outreach programmes across schools, colleges, and communities.
Officials were told to design a detailed action plan for implementation and to ensure that awareness campaigns are practical, evidence-based, and reach rural as well as urban areas.
Border Vigilance and Community Safety
Highlighting Uttarakhand’s sensitive geographical position, Dhami called for increased vigilance in border districts, warning against drug supplies from neighbouring states. He reiterated that traffickers caught smuggling narcotics into Uttarakhand would face the harshest penalties.
In addition, the Chief Minister instructed police to strengthen night patrolling and take uncompromising action against drunk driving. These measures, he noted, would enhance public safety and support the broader anti-drugs agenda.
Linking the Campaign to Atmanirbhar Bharat
During the meeting, Dhami also echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for adopting indigenous products and fostering Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). To complement the anti-drugs initiative, the Chief Minister directed the Urban Development Department to act as the nodal agency for a state-wide campaign encouraging citizens to use swadeshi goods. He said this would not only strengthen the local economy but also cultivate pride in homegrown products.
Officials in Attendance
The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Chief Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, Additional Director Generals of Police V. Murugesan and A.P. Anshuman, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, Inspector General Rajiv Swaroop, Special Secretary Dr. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, and Additional Secretary Banshidhar Tiwari. Their participation underscored the state government’s resolve to build a multi-agency strategy against narcotics.
The Road Ahead
With these directives, the Uttarakhand government is positioning itself to fight drug abuse on multiple fronts—through law enforcement, awareness, education, and border security. The campaign’s integration with broader socio-economic themes like self-reliance and promotion of indigenous goods signals an attempt to connect the fight against narcotics with the state’s vision of healthier, more responsible communities.
Officials are expected to present a detailed action plan in the coming weeks, marking the beginning of what is being described as one of the most comprehensive anti-narcotics initiatives ever launched in Uttarakhand.
