HP to make dope tests mandatory for government jobs and professional courses

The reward amount for providing information related to narcotics trafficking was increased.

Families were urged not to fear reporting addiction and to use the emergency helpline number 112 for assistance; victims would be treated and rehabilitated.

Pharmaceutical companies, chemists and medical establishments were warned against illegal sale of narcotic medicines, with licences of violators to be cancelled immediately.

The second phase of the anti-drug campaign was announced to run from August 1 to August 20, 2026, with district magistrates, superintendents of police and other Class-I officers visiting schools, colleges and panchayats to raise awareness.

Anti-drug performance indicators would be included in the annual confidential reports of deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to ensure accountability in tackling narcotics cases.

The government announced that dope testing for heroin would be mandatory for future government recruitments and admissions to government-run medical and engineering colleges.

A total of 122 government employees from various departments were found involved in drug-related activities; 31 have already been terminated. Twenty-one policemen were dismissed, with others from multiple departments also implicated.

The special task force examined more than 700 cases and identified around 300 cases for financial investigation and property tracing. Authorities have identified 70 illegal properties linked to the narcotics trade, of which 17 have already been demolished.

Around 12,000 individuals involved in narcotics consumption have been identified so far, with special surveillance intensified in 234 highly sensitive panchayats across the state.

The state government categorised gram panchayats into red, yellow and green categories depending on the extent of drug abuse.

A special anti-drug campaign launched during the past week resulted in the detention of 32 accused persons.

The government stated that 174 major drug peddlers and mafia elements had been detained under the PIT-NDPS Act.

Since 2023, Himachal Pradesh Police have registered 6,811 cases under the NDPS Act, arrested 10,357 persons and seized 45,867 kilograms of narcotic substances, including heroin, cannabis and psychotropic drugs.