The Himachal Pradesh Government is preparing to launch a major initiative against drug abuse through the Anti-Chitta Volunteer Scheme (ACVS), a community-based programme designed to strengthen the state’s battle against narcotics. The scheme was first announced by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during the Independence Day celebrations at Sarkaghat in District Mandi, and the Police Headquarters has now submitted a detailed proposal for its implementation.
As part of the scheme, over 1,000 Anti-Chitta Volunteers will be engaged across the state to act as a bridge between the police, the public and other stakeholders. Their primary role will be to create greater awareness about the dangers of Chitta and other narcotics, help identify hotspots of drug activity, and confidentially report offenders or suspicious movements to the authorities. In addition, these volunteers will participate in community-driven awareness programmes including rallies, street plays, and school and college campaigns, while also leveraging social media platforms to spread the message. They will play a key role in linking individuals and families affected by substance abuse to counseling and rehabilitation centres, thereby supplementing government efforts with community-level engagement. For their services, the volunteers will be provided with an honorarium.
According to an official spokesperson, the Sukhu-led government has made the fight against drugs a top priority over the last two and a half years and has already introduced several strong measures. The spokesperson said the new scheme is expected to further enhance ground-level intelligence gathering, improve coordination between communities and law enforcement, and strengthen rehabilitation efforts for those impacted by addiction. To ensure their safety, the volunteers will not be involved in direct field operations or identification of suspects, and the police will guarantee strict confidentiality of their identities, with protection measures in place for sensitive cases. To prepare them for their responsibilities, the volunteers will undergo a structured two-day training programme that will cover the basics of the NDPS Act, police procedures and community engagement methods.
Chief Minister Sukhu has repeatedly underlined his government’s resolve to eradicate the drug menace from the state, contrasting the current administration’s actions with what he described as the inaction of the previous BJP government. He noted that since assuming office, his government has invoked the PIT-NDPS Act to strengthen enforcement, seized properties worth over ₹42 crore belonging to the drug mafia, and made testing for chitta mandatory in police recruitment. The Chief Minister said these measures, along with the upcoming volunteer scheme, represent a sustained effort to shield the youth of Himachal Pradesh from falling prey to substance abuse. He asserted that the government’s vision is to achieve a drug-free Himachal by combining strict enforcement with community-led initiatives, awareness campaigns and effective rehabilitation.
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