HP Govt mulling regular check ups in schools

With an aim to diagnose early signs of drug abuse, Himachal Government is mulling to evolve a mechanism for regular medical checkups in schools of the state.

This was stated by Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while addressing the regional conference of Chief Ministers of northern states and UT Chandigarh through video conference.

Thakur stressed on a joint strategy to effectively eradicate the drug menace from the society.

“Regular follow up should be ensured so that an effective strategy could be finalised. Effective sharing mechanism should be developed to share information regarding drug peddling so that the culprit could be nabbed,” he said.

He informed that about 1000 arrests had been made in the state against drug ped5dlers. Since the state has borders with several states, it was essential that joint task force be constituted to check cross border drug peddling, the Chief Minister said.

Thakur also said that due to greater pressure on the drug peddlers in the neighbouring states, the cases of drug related arrests had increased manifold in Himachal Pradesh. The charas or cannabis is one of the major substances used by drug addicts in the state, but now synthetic drugs had emerged as a major area of concern, he said.

He further said that drug abuse and peddling also attribute to crime, diseases, accidents, domestic violence, abuse, job loss, and homelessness.

A long term strategy should also be chalked out to engage youth in constructive activities. And, parents should also keep an eye on abnormal behaviour of their teenage children, Thakur added.