Himachal Govt to Deploy Over 1,000 Anti-Drug Volunteers Under New Scheme.
“Anti-Chitta Volunteer Scheme” Aims to Strengthen Community-Police Partnership in Fight Against Narcotics.
Shimla:
In a bold move to intensify its war against the growing menace of drug abuse, the Himachal Pradesh Government has announced the launch of the Anti-Chitta Volunteer Scheme (ACVS). Under the initiative, over 1,000 volunteers will be engaged across the state to assist police in spreading awareness, gathering ground-level intelligence, and supporting rehabilitation efforts.
The scheme, which stems from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s Independence Day announcement at Sarkaghat in District Mandi, marks a significant step in the state’s anti-drug campaign. A formal proposal has already been forwarded to the government by the Police Headquarters for implementation.
Structured Community Engagement
The ACVS aims to establish a structured and sustainable partnership between the police, public, and other key stakeholders. Volunteers will serve as community ambassadors, raising awareness about the deadly impact of synthetic drugs like chitta and helping authorities identify high-risk areas and suspicious activities through confidential reporting mechanisms.
“These volunteers will be instrumental in building a grassroots-level intelligence network while simultaneously educating communities and assisting in linking drug-affected individuals to counseling and rehabilitation centres,” said an official spokesperson from the state government.
Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities
The volunteers will be actively involved in:
- Conducting awareness drives in schools, colleges, and community settings
- Supporting anti-drug campaigns such as rallies, street plays, and social media messaging
- Reporting drug hotspots, trafficking patterns, and offenders to police
- Connecting families and victims with health and counseling services
In recognition of their contribution, registered volunteers will receive an honorarium, although the amount is yet to be finalized.
Safety and Training Measures
For the protection of the volunteers, the government has assured that they will not be engaged in direct field surveillance, and their identities will be kept confidential. In sensitive cases, additional police protection will also be provided.
To prepare volunteers for their role, a two-day structured training programme will be held. This will cover key areas such as the NDPS Act, basic police procedures, and community engagement methods.
A Government Committed to a Drug-Free Himachal
Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized the government’s firm commitment to eradicating substance abuse. “Since assuming office, we have declared a war against drugs. Unlike the previous BJP regime, we have enforced the PIT-NDPS Act, seized properties of drug mafia worth over Rs. 42 crore, and made drug testing for chitta mandatory in police recruitment,” he stated.
“Our goal is a drug-free Himachal Pradesh, and the ACVS is a step toward enhancing community participation, improving enforcement, and ensuring that no young life is lost to addiction,” the Chief Minister added.
Strengthening the Fight
The ACVS is the latest in a series of anti-drug measures rolled out over the past two and a half years. With this initiative, the state hopes to build stronger public-police trust, increase actionable intelligence from the ground, and mobilize communities in the battle against drugs.
The scheme is expected to be rolled out in phases, with volunteer recruitment, training, and deployment to begin in the coming months.
