Una, December 4: The Una district administration has given decisive impetus to the 'Anti-Chitta Campaign' in the district, carrying it forward on a mission mode. Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal held a meeting with the drug prevention committees of panchayats identified as sensitive to Chitta and drug abuse on Thursday and directed them to become active immediately. Superintendent of Police Amit Yadav was also present. The Deputy Commissioner stated that making the campaign more effective to eliminate drug abuse and smuggling in the district is a priority.
Jatin Lal stated that Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu's goal is a drug-free Himachal. The state government has launched a comprehensive campaign to eradicate Chitta, and public participation is essential in this direction.
DC Jatin Lal stated that committees have been formed in all 245 panchayats of the district, with special focus on the 10 panchayats identified as sensitive to Chitta. On Thursday, a meeting was held with the drug prevention committees of these 10 panchayats to inform them of their responsibilities.

**Every member should pledge to make their area drug-free**
1. In the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner said that each committee member should take a personal pledge to make their area drug-free.
2. He called for sharing all information related to drug abuse with the administration.
3. He said that it is crucial to understand the changes in youth behavior and that it is every member's responsibility to share any information that may indicate drug abuse with the administration.
4. He said that we should not think about why we should provide information; we should understand our obligation to society; it is everyone's shared responsibility.
5. He reiterated that the name of the informant will be kept completely confidential and police will take immediate action in the matter.
6. He said that breaking the supply-demand chain of drug abuse in the district is of paramount importance, for which the committees must maintain constant communication with the community, youth, and families.
7. He stated that the government has entrusted the committees with a serious responsibility, and any negligence in this regard will not be tolerated.
8. He stated that special Gram Sabhas will be held in the Panchayats to raise awareness about drug abuse. Instructions for this will be issued soon. Their agenda will focus on drug prevention.

**Committee meetings mandatory once a week, SDM to review**
The Deputy Commissioner directed that committees in sensitive Panchayats must meet once a week and submit a two-day prior notice to the SDM's office, so that the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police (SP) can personally inspect them from time to time.
The SDM will conduct a monthly review. The committee chairperson will send the meeting minutes to the SDM, while the member secretary (head constable) will provide a detailed report to the Superintendent of Police's office.
He stated that the committees should focus on assessing the drug situation in their areas, conducting regular reviews, identifying drug dealers and users, promptly reporting to the police administration, conducting awareness programs in schools and the community, assisting affected families, and developing a community action plan.

**This is the structure of the committees**
The Principal of the government school has been appointed as the Chairperson of the committees, and the Head Constable of Police of the area is the Member Secretary. They will be joined by the Panchayat Secretary, Mahila Mandal/Yuvak Mandal representatives, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, social workers, senior citizens, and Village Employment Assistants. The Panchayat Pradhan, Zila Parishad member, Panchayat Samiti member, and Ward member will be ex-officio members. The committees will be expanded as needed.

**Up to 10 Lakh Rewards for Information on Drugs**
Jatin Lal stated that the Himachal government has implemented a reward scheme for information related to drug trafficking. Rewards range from 10,000 to 10 lakh rupees, depending on the quantity of drug seized. A reward of more than 5 lakh rupees has been set for information on large drug gangs. The state government has issued an emergency number, 112, for any information related to drug trafficking.

**Don't hide information, the supply chain will be attacked... but eliminating demand is paramount – SP Amit Yadav**
At the meeting, Superintendent of Police Amit Yadav stated that every committee member must be extremely vigilant in their area. He added that changes in the behavior of children and youth should not be ignored. If anyone is hesitant to share any name or information at the committee meeting, they can submit the information personally to the member secretary. The informant's name will be kept strictly confidential.
He stated that a strict attack will be launched on the supply chain, but unless demand is eliminated, drug abuse will be difficult to control. Therefore, prevention, awareness, and counseling are the strongest weapons in the fight against drug addiction.
He urged committees to conduct ongoing awareness, counseling, and motivation programs at the community level to prevent youth from falling into the trap of drug addiction.

**These were present at the meeting**
SDM Una Abhishek Mittal, SDM Haroli Vishal Sharma, SDM Gagret Saumil Gautam, SDM Bangana Sonu Goyal, Assistant Commissioner Varinder Sharma, officials from the concerned departments, public representatives from the identified sensitive panchayats and all members of the drug prevention committees were present at the meeting.