AMRITSAR: Even as Punjab is grappling with the heroin menace, neighbouring Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh has launched a drive to eradicate marijuana and its derivatives, which have youth in their grip.At present, 126 persons in the age group of 20 to 30 are lodged in Chamba jail for peddling charas. Chamba police have started seeking active public participation not only to eradicate weed (cannabis indica) but also to educate the youth about the perils of drug abuse, said Chamba SP Monika Bhutungru while talking to TOI on Sunday.Being a charas producing district, the drug is smuggled to various cities of Punjab like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and to some parts of Jammu and Kashmir while drugs like heroin, intoxicating capsules, tablets and injectables have started finding acceptance among drug addicts of this hill district. Normally, the police administration, along with support of other departments, carries out an annual weed eradication drive in June but according to sources, the higher reaches or terrains which are difficult to reach are left out of drive eventually produces commercial quantities of charas.Charas peddling has also started attracting women for making quick money. Bhutungru said in recent past the Chamba police had arrested a women, Bhikhoo, and seized over 1kg of charas from her. Sources stated that in Chamba charas was sold for around Rs 15,000 per kg but in Amritsar, the high quality charas was sold for anything around Rs 45,000 to Rs 60,000. Chamba SP said the police administration had exhorted local residents to form a group of 10 or more volunteers and adopt a cannabis infested village or a ward to motivate the youth to eschew drugs, adding that the police would not only arrange for orientation sessions for the groups but would also play the role of a coordinator.When asked how grave the situation of other drugs, including heroin, was, she replied, “These drugs have now started finding way into Chamba. In the last five moths we have registered as many as six cases.”

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