Kangra police collaborate with tourism to combat drug abuse

Kangra police in Himachal Pradesh are working to combat rising drug abuse by collaborating with local tourism stakeholders. There has been a noticeable increase in drug-related cases in the area. So far this year, 66 cases have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, compared to 149 cases in the entire previous year. In response to these concerning trends, Kangra police held a meeting with hotel owners and taxi drivers in the Dharamshala area. They emphasized the need for these stakeholders to be more vigilant about drug use among guests. The meeting was led by Additional Superintendent of Police Hitesh Lakhanpal and included various local representatives. Of the 66 cases this year, 35 involved heroin, with 60 individuals accused, including five women. Last year, there were 245 people accused in drug cases, with most being residents of Himachal Pradesh. Lakhanpal noted that individuals from outside the state often bring drugs and sell them in the region, highlighting the important role that hotel owners and taxi drivers can play in monitoring this issue. Sanjeev Gandhi, from the Hotel and Restaurant Association, stated that the goal of the meeting was to find effective strategies to reduce drug use in the area. The state has been facing an uphill battle against drugs, with cases increasing significantly over the last decade. In January, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu noted a 340% rise in NDPS cases since 2012. The percentage of cases involving heroin has also doubled in recent years, underscoring the seriousness of the problem in Himachal Pradesh.