Himachal Pradesh has emerged as a frontrunner in India’s fight against the growing menace of drug abuse, with over 5,000 NDPS cases registered and illegal property worth ₹36.95 crore seized over the past two and a half years. The state has adopted a multi-dimensional strategy focused on strong enforcement, legal reforms, rehabilitation, and awareness to combat the rising use of narcotics and synthetic drugs, particularly in areas bordering pharmaceutical hubs. Responding swiftly to the alarming spread of substances like heroin, MDMA, and Tramadol among the youth, the state government declared a war on drugs soon after assuming office, placing the issue at the top of its governance agenda.
To tighten the legal framework, the government introduced two landmark legislations this year: the Himachal Pradesh Organized Crime (Prevention and Control) Bill, which includes stringent measures such as the death penalty, life imprisonment, property confiscation, and heavy fines to curb organized crime; and the HP Drugs and Controlled Substances (Prevention, De-addiction and Rehabilitation) Bill, which not only provides for stricter punishment but also sets up a structured framework for prevention, rehabilitation, and livelihood creation. This Act also includes the establishment of a state fund to support de-addiction services and community outreach, drawing inspiration from the successful Sikkim model.
Recognizing the importance of early intervention, the government has announced the introduction of a dedicated chapter on drug abuse awareness in school curricula from the next academic year to educate students about the dangers of substance abuse. A major breakthrough in enforcement came in 2024 with the use of preventive detention under the PIT-NDPS Act, resulting in 41 detention orders against habitual offenders and peddlers out of 123 proposals submitted, highlighting the government’s zero-tolerance stance.
The crackdown has extended to financial backers and enablers of the drug trade. The police identified 1,214 illegal properties linked to drug traffickers, took action against 70 encroachments, and initiated demolition and eviction in several major cases. Furthermore, 80 government employees involved in drug-related activities were booked, signaling that accountability applies to all, including those within the system.
Between 2023 and June 2025, the police registered 5,004 NDPS cases, including 2,147 in 2023, 1,717 in 2024, and 1,140 up to mid-2025. In parallel, the state launched a financial offensive, attaching properties worth ₹36.95 crore, with ₹4.87 crore seized in 2023, ₹25.42 crore in 2024, and ₹6.66 crore up to June 2025. An additional ₹7.74 crore worth of assets is under consideration for attachment, underscoring continued financial disruption of the drug economy.
In a significant structural move, the state established a Special Task Force (STF) in March 2025, divided into three zones—Dharamshala, Mandi, and Parwanoo—to intensify surveillance in drug-prone areas like Una, Kullu, Baddi, and Sirmaur. Thirteen police stations have been brought under this framework, with six already operational to ensure improved coordination and intelligence-led operations.
Parallel to enforcement, rehabilitation and reintegration have been prioritized. Functional de-addiction centers for men are operating in Kullu, Una, Hamirpur, and Kangra, while the Red Cross Society runs a center for women in Kullu. A state-of-the-art, 100-bed de-addiction facility is being set up at Kotla Barog in Sirmaur, with plans to extend similar centers across all districts. The government is also promoting skill development, employment, and counseling to support recovered addicts, treating addiction as a public health and social concern rather than purely a criminal issue.
On the health front, the Himachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society, under NACO’s guidance, has rolled out 14 targeted intervention programs for injecting drug users (IDUs), offering safe needle exchanges, HIV/STI counseling, oral drug substitutes, and ART linkages. These programs have significantly reduced the transmission of infections and improved healthcare access for vulnerable groups.
Between 2023 and June 2025, enforcement efforts yielded the seizure of 919 kg of charas, 32.9 kg of heroin, 1,632 kg of poppy husk, 89.6 kg of opium, and over 1.64 lakh tablets and capsules. Additionally, the destruction of nearly 70 lakh cannabis plants marked a critical step in disrupting illegal cultivation, especially in remote areas. To enhance precision in outreach and recovery, the state has introduced ward-wise mapping of addicts and peddlers, categorizing them into red, yellow, and green zones based on severity and frequency of drug use.
Himachal Pradesh’s determined and holistic approach—ranging from legislative innovation and administrative action to compassionate rehabilitation and healthcare interventions—has laid a strong foundation for building a drug-free society. Despite ongoing challenges, the achievements over the past two and a half years reflect a significant turning point in the state’s battle against narcotics and position Himachal as a potential model for the rest of the country in the fight against drugs.
