Shimla, Oct 17 Himachal Pradesh DGP Ashok Tewari on Saturday said preventing drug abuse must begin at home and in schools, through awareness, open communication, early identification of warning signs and timely intervention.
He called upon students, parents and teachers to actively participate in the Anti-Chitta Jan Andolan of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and said that protecting the younger generation from drug abuse is a shared responsibility of families, educational institutions, the police and society at large.
Addressing students and parents as the chief guest at the Annual Day function of the Convent of Jesus and Mary School, Chelsea, Shimla, the DGP said that the Anti-Chitta Jan Andolan is not merely a police campaign against drug traffickers but a people’s movement aimed at safeguarding the future of the state’s youth.
He urged students to become ambassadors of this movement among their friends and families, and encouraged parents and teachers to remain vigilant against the growing threat of ‘chitta’ (a form of heroin).
The DGP particularly appealed to parents to spend quality time with their children, listen to their concerns and create an atmosphere of trust so that children feel comfortable sharing their problems.
Children often face pressures relating to academic performance, peer acceptance and social expectations, making parental understanding and emotional support especially important, he said.
As part of an outreach programme, Himachal Pradesh Police also organised an awareness stall on Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112) at the school. Students and parents were familiarised with the emergency helpline, its Track Me facility and the importance of seeking timely assistance.
The DGP also congratulated students and teachers for the Annual Day performances.
(PTI News)
