Tripura 13 Jan, 2025: A massive anti-drug campaign is ongoing across the state, with significant quantities of cannabis, cough syrup, narcotic tablets, and heroin being seized. Police have been conducting operations to destroy cannabis plants in various parts of the state. Several individuals involved in drug-related activities, including accused persons, associates, and traffickers, have been arrested. Over the past three years, 1,665 NDPS cases have been registered in various police stations, and 2,697 individuals have been arrested.
During the first session of the state assembly today, Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha provided these details in response to a call attention notice raised by MLAs Nirmal Biswas and Nayan Sarkar. The notice focused on government actions to create a drug-free state.
The Chief Minister stated that from 2022 to 2024, the state police confiscated 1,54,658 kg of cannabis, 5,82,100 bottles of cough syrup, 25,62,791 narcotic tablets, and 34,97,134 grams of heroin. Additionally, 2,45,91,258 cannabis saplings were destroyed. The seized narcotics and vehicles were valued at ₹1,587.47 crore.
A state-based anti-drug campaign committee has been formed under the directive of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, with the support of the Departments of Social Welfare and Social Education, Home, Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Narcotics Control Bureau, and various NGOs. Similar committees have been formed at the district level to assess the drug situation and implement prevention strategies. The Khelo Tripura, Sustha Tripura initiative regularly organizes awareness programs across blocks, subdivisions, districts, municipalities, and clubs. The Tripura State AIDS Control Society (TSACS) also conducts anti-drug awareness campaigns. OST centers have been established in Bhati Abhoynagar, Kumarghat, Kailashahar, Damcherra, Ambassa, Jirania, and Jampui. A dedicated OPD for drug treatment has been opened at the modern psychiatric hospital in Narsingarh.
The National Health Mission is leading a Drug-Free Tripura campaign, while NSS Tripura has organized mega awareness camps on drug addiction involving students from 22 general degree colleges.
To combat HIV/AIDS, the state has set up 24 Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (ICTCs), 133 Facility Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (FICTCs), three PPP-ICTCs, and one mobile ICTC van. According to the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), there were 10,126 HIV-positive patients in the state in 2023. Between 2015-16 and 2023-24, 52 deaths were recorded due to AIDS-related illnesses.
The Chief Minister emphasized that departments such as Education, Home, Social Welfare, Youth Affairs and Sports, Panchayat, Urban Development, Tribal Welfare, Industry, Commerce, Transport, and Labor are implementing various anti-drug initiatives. Public involvement in these programs is helping reduce substance abuse tendencies. As a result, citizens can participate in social events peacefully.
Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury, ruling party Chief Whip MLA Kalyani Saha Roy, and MLA Sudip Roy Barman also participated in the discussion on the notice.
