Chandigarh: The Haryana Government has set up a four-level Drug Demand Reduction Committee system at the state, district, subdivision, and village or urban ward levels. This system focuses on working together to prevent, treat, and support recovery, and to provide community support. These committees will enable organised tracking of drug-reduction activities and better cooperation among departments and agencies.
State-level committee
At the state level, the State-Level Steering and Monitoring Committee will be chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi. Members will include Additional Chief Secretaries from the Home, SEWA, Medical Education and Research, Development and Panchayat, School Education, Higher Education, and Women and Child Development Departments; the Director General of Police (HSNCB); the Principal Secretary, Sports Department; and the Commissioner and Secretary, Urban Local Bodies. The Director, SEWA Department, will serve as Member Secretary. Two representatives from civil society, empanelled NGOs, or thematic experts will be invited as Special Invitees.
The committee will oversee the State Action Plan under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) and the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA). It will track yearly and quarterly goals for raising awareness, treatment, recovery, counselling, and training.It will coordinate efforts among departments responsible for social welfare, health, home affairs, youth affairs, women and child development, education, skill development, Panchayati Raj, rural development, local bodies, and civil society organisations.
The state committee will check the availability and performance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts, District De-addiction Centres, Addiction Treatment Facilities, and other treatment centres. It will find high-risk districts, approve focused action plans, evaluate district results, and guide improvements when needed. The committee will meet every three months.
District-level monitoring
At the district level, committees led by the Deputy Commissioner will develop district-level drug reduction plans, identify at-risk groups and problem areas, organise awareness programs in schools, workplaces, and communities, and oversee treatment and recovery centres. They will also carry out required inspections every three months of de-addiction centres and schools involved in prevention.
Sub-division and community-level action
At the sub-division level, committees led by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate will oversee progress, identify vulnerable areas, and carry out monthly inspections of de-addiction and treatment centres.
At the local level, Village-Level Nasha Mukti Taskforces will be set up for each Gram Panchayat, and Ward-Level Taskforces will work in urban areas. These groups will include members from local administration, police, education, health, youth groups, senior citizens, and community organisations.
The village and ward task forces will be the main way to identify and report suspected locations of drug use or trafficking. They will also send people showing signs of drug dependence to government-approved treatment, counselling, and recovery services at the Civil Hospital within 72 hours, keeping their privacy and respect. They will also conduct community awareness programs, including Gram Sabha and Ward Sabha sessions, to reduce stigma around seeking treatment and promote a drug-free culture.
