Drug addiction of traditional drugs (Charas/ Opium)and other substances (alcohol, tobacco), semi synthetic and synthetic drugs and psychotropic substances is increasingly becoming an area of concern not only in townships and cities of the state but even in the remotest regions/ villages of HP.
The intravenous drug use by young people has further aggravated the problem, especially in Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Una, Bilaspur, Solan, Chamba, Hamirpur and kangra districts. The intravenous drug use (IDU) of semi-synthetic and synthetic drugs is anticipated to place another serious challenge of contracting HIV/AIDS, thereby adding up a new dimension to the problem in the state.
Therefore, in order to ascertain the exact scale of substance abuse, and to identify its patterns in the high risk regions of the state, the Foundation shall conduct research surveys solely itself or in collaboration with the govt/ Non Govt stakeholders/agencies/ other funding agencies. The foundation shall also suggest remedies to the government so that the drug abuse prevalence is minimized in the state and regions other than the state.
Further, in order to know the extent and patterns of the illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, the foundation shall conduct surveys in deep forest regions with the help of the state / central drug Law enforcement Agencies , such as, the state police, State taxes and excise, state deptt of Revenue, state department of Forests and Central NCB, CBN, DRI, Customs IB etc under tight security cover to its functioneriesand volunteers. The foundation shall seek funding from the national drug Fund, state drug Fund, theUNODC (if possible) other sources. These surveys shall reveal the anticipated quantum, scale and patterns of :
The Illicit drug cultivation, especially Cannabis and opium poppy, production of narcotic drugs ,e.g. hashish (Charas) Hashish oil, and Opium, Poppy husk etc in 6 districts if Himachal pradesh, especially Kullu, and mandi districtswhere inter-state/ international drug networks have been identified and brought to justice by the NCB, CBN and state police.
