The 17-day statewide campaign against drug abuse in Jharkhand concluded on Wednesday at the Shaurya Auditorium in Doranda. The event, graced by Rural Development Minister Deepika Pandey Singh as chief guest, marked what she called not an end, but a new beginning in the fight against addiction and crime in the state. She credited the campaign to the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
Minister Singh emphasized the need for stringent action against large-scale drug traffickers. “While Jharkhand is progressing alongside developed states with robust infrastructure, we are also standing strong against deep-rooted social evils,” she said. She warned that elements destroying the social fabric must be dealt with firmly.
‘Comprehensive Success’ in Anti-Poppy Cultivation Operations
Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari noted that poppy cultivation and the drug trade had taken hold in several parts of the state. She highlighted that this year, through the use of advanced technology and multi-departmental coordination, the government achieved a large-scale eradication of poppy crops, terming it a “comprehensive success.”
Director General of Police Anurag Gupta revealed that poppy cultivation across 27,000 acres of land was destroyed this year. He praised the voluntary participation of villagers from sensitive areas like Khunti. Calling brown sugar especially dangerous for youth, he affirmed that Jharkhand Police is cracking down on the supply chain, targeting peddlers, dealers, and suppliers. So far, 350 drug-related cases have been filed, leading to the arrest of 318 individuals.
Drug Awareness Curriculum Recommended in Schools
Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, Ajay Kumar, stressed the need for ongoing awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and anganwadi centers. He proposed integrating anti-drug education into textbooks and encouraged greater participation of NSS volunteers in outreach efforts.
ALSO READ: Drug-free Jharkhand campaign ends with marathon; ‘Youth can change society’, says minister
Home, Jail, and Disaster Management Principal Secretary Vandana Dadel informed that 238 panchayats across Jharkhand are affected by poppy cultivation and will remain a focus of future awareness campaigns. In just the past two weeks, over 12,000 awareness programs were conducted, including a targeted campaign across 3,000 schools, involving 2.2 million students. Door-to-door outreach, training of master trainers, and UNICEF’s technical support were key highlights of the initiative.
Social Welfare Secretary Manoj Kumar emphasized that the campaign was not merely punitive but driven by compassion. Efforts were made to rehabilitate drug-affected individuals and help them reintegrate into society.
At the ceremony’s conclusion, various government departments and NGOs were honored for their contributions to the campaign. The launch of [resistjharkhand.gov.in](https://resistjharkhand.gov.in) was also announced. This dedicated portal will serve as a hub for anti-drug resources, awareness content, and details of Jharkhand’s ongoing efforts toward a drug-free society.
The event was also attended by Higher Education Principal Secretary Rahul Purwar, School Education Secretary Umashankar Singh, Tourism Secretary Manoj Kumar, Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantree, IG Aseem Vikrant Minz, and several senior officials and staff.
