Leh, Jan 06: Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra has announced a comprehensive, time-bound strategy to make Ladakh a completely drug-free Union Territory by 2026, expressing serious concern over the rapidly rising cases of substance abuse, particularly among the youth.
Issuing official directions following the NCORD (Narco Coordination Centre) meeting held yesterday, Chief Secretary Kundra noted a disturbing increase in alcohol abuse, opioid substance use and cannabis consumption in Ladakh. He also flagged a dangerous emerging trend of injectable opioid use, with several youngsters reportedly testing positive for Hepatitis-C, calling it a serious public health and social crisis.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and the national resolve to make India drug-free by 2047, the Chief Secretary said Ladakh, given its small population, must aim to become 100 per cent drug-free within 2026 itself.
Chief Secretary Kundra directed all concerned departments to adopt a coordinated strategy focusing on prevention, enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation.
He ordered the activation of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) under DIG Leh-Kargil, to work closely with the Narcotics Control Bureau and other agencies to identify drug suppliers and initiate stringent action under the NDPS Act and PITNDPS provisions. He further instructed SSPs of Leh and Kargil to enforce strict surveillance at all entry and exit points to prevent Ladakh from becoming a drug transit corridor.
Designating the Social Welfare Department as the nodal agency, Kundra directed it to launch large-scale awareness campaigns in collaboration with religious and cultural bodies, including the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and civil society organisations such as Ama Tsogspa, to sensitise parents and youth on the ill-effects and early symptoms of drug addiction.
He also ordered the formulation of a comprehensive de-addiction, Hepatitis-C treatment and youth rehabilitation scheme, including upgradation of de-addiction centres, deployment of trained manpower and skilling-based employment opportunities for recovering youth.
The Chief Secretary further directed vulnerability mapping to identify high-risk youth, including those from broken families, unemployed youngsters and those facing mental health challenges, and to roll out proactive outreach programmes.
High-risk occupational groups such as taxi drivers, mini-bus operators and bike rental agencies are to be sensitised to ensure their vehicles are not misused as drug courier channels.
He also ordered the establishment of a single dedicated helpline for substance abuse support and directed aggressive dissemination of awareness content through social media platforms to reach maximum youth.
Calling for a whole-of-society approach, Chief Secretary Kundra urged all departments, community leaders, parents and civil society groups to actively participate in making Ladakh a drug-free territory by 2026.
