HP CM Office Calls Youth to Join Anti-Drug Campaign
Synopsis
The Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh on 23 June 2026 called on youth to back the state's anti-drug campaign for a drug-free society. MLA Harish Janartha and Youth Services Director Shivam Pratap Singh attended the event, signalling a coordinated push against substance abuse.
Key Takeaways
The Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh issued a public appeal on 23 June 2026 urging youth to support the state's anti-drug campaign.
The campaign aims to build a drug-free and healthy society through active youth participation.
MLA Harish Janartha was present at the event, reflecting legislative support for the initiative.
Director Shivam Pratap Singh of the Youth Services and Sports Department attended, indicating the campaign will leverage sports and youth networks.
The drive complements the national Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan launched in 2020 .
District-level rollout and potential school-linked programmes are expected to follow.
The Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, 23 June 2026 issued a public appeal urging young people across the state to actively support the state government's anti-drug campaign and contribute to building a drug-free and healthy society.
Context
The post, shared from the official CMO Himachal Pradesh account, is a continuation of a broader event address. In Hindi, the appeal read: 'युवाओं से राज्य सरकार के नशा-विरोधी अभियान का समर्थन करने तथा नशामुक्त एवं स्वस्थ समाज के निर्माण में योगदान देने का भी आह्वान किया' — translated as: 'Youth were also called upon to support the state government's anti-drug campaign and contribute to building a drug-free and healthy society.'
The event was attended by MLA Harish Janartha, Director of Youth Services and Sports Department Shivam Pratap Singh, and other dignitaries, signalling a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach to the initiative.
Policy Backdrop
Himachal Pradesh's anti-drug push aligns with the national Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, launched in 2020, which targets substance abuse through youth engagement and community awareness. State governments have increasingly partnered their youth services and sports departments with anti-narcotics drives, recognising that sports and peer networks are effective tools against drug dependency.
Himachal Pradesh, situated along sensitive border and transit routes, has faced persistent concerns around substance abuse among young people, making such campaigns a recurring policy priority for successive state administrations.
Stakeholders and Impact
The Youth Services and Sports Department's involvement, represented by Director Shivam Pratap Singh, points to an intent to embed anti-drug messaging within sports programmes and youth outreach infrastructure. This approach targets students and young adults at community events and educational institutions — demographics most vulnerable to first exposure.
MLA Harish Janartha's presence at the event underscores legislative backing for the campaign, which may facilitate constituency-level mobilisation. Civil society groups and school networks are expected to serve as delivery channels for awareness activities.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to the district-level rollout of the campaign across Himachal Pradesh's 12 districts, including whether dedicated budget allocations or structured school programmes accompany the initiative. The state government's ability to sustain momentum beyond public appeals — through counselling infrastructure, rehabilitation tie-ups, and measurable outreach targets — will determine the campaign's long-term impact on youth health outcomes.
Point of View
The state is borrowing from a well-established playbook — one that has shown moderate success in other hill states where community sports events double as awareness platforms. The timing, mid-year and ahead of the academic calendar, suggests the administration may be planning school- and college-level outreach in the months ahead. Whether this translates into measurable reduction in substance abuse will depend on sustained resource commitment rather than episodic events.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Himachal Pradesh government's anti-drug campaign about?
The Himachal Pradesh government's anti-drug campaign calls on youth to actively participate in building a drug-free and healthy society, complementing the national Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan launched in 2020.
Who attended the anti-drug event organised by the Himachal Pradesh government?
MLA Harish Janartha, Youth Services and Sports Department Director Shivam Pratap Singh, and other dignitaries attended the event referenced in the Chief Minister's Office post on 23 June 2026.
What is the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan?
The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is a national anti-drug programme launched in 2020 to curb substance abuse through community awareness and youth engagement, which state governments including Himachal Pradesh have adopted and extended.
How is the Youth Services and Sports Department involved in Himachal Pradesh's anti-drug drive?
The department, represented by Director Shivam Pratap Singh, is a key institutional partner in the campaign, using youth outreach and sports networks to spread anti-drug awareness across the state.
What are the next steps for Himachal Pradesh's anti-narcotics campaign?
The focus is expected to shift to district-level rollout across Himachal Pradesh's 12 districts, with possible budget allocations and structured school programmes to sustain anti-drug outreach.
