Agartala, Jan 13, 2025, TRIPURA TIMES Desk

Agartala, Jan 13: Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Monday informed the State Assembly that 2,697 persons were arrested in connection with 1,665 cases registered under the NDPS Act over three years.

While highlighting the achievements under Neshamukt Tripura campaign on the second day of Winter Session, the Chief Minister said, in 2022, 562 cases were registered and 759 individuals were arrested. In 2023, the figures increased to 633 cases and 1,052 arrests. By 2024, 407 cases were registered, leading to 886 arrests. 

The Chief Minister said, after the formation of the current government in 2018, significant strides have been made to transform Tripura into a drug-free state.

Dr. Saha also mentioned the state’s government zero tolerance policy against drugs.

He highlighted that the state government, recognizing the harmful effects of widespread narcotics use—especially among students and youth—initiated an extensive anti-narcotics drive. 

“As a result of this campaign, large quantities of illegal narcotics such as marijuana, cough syrup, narcotic tablets, heroin, and others have been seized. Police have conducted raids across the state, destroyed ganja plantations, and arrested individuals involved in drug-related activities,” he said. 

“In 2024, the state police achieved a record by destroying the highest number of cannabis plants and seedlings to date,” he said. 

He further elaborated, “During the last three years, the state police seized 1,54,658 kg of marijuana, 5,82,100 bottles of cough syrup, 25,62,791 narcotic tablets, 34,971 grams of heroin, and destroyed 2,45,91,258 cannabis plants. The total market value of the seized narcotics, including vehicles, amounts to Rs 1,587 crore, 47 lakh, 41 thousand, and 762. Notably, the destruction of marijuana plants and seedlings reached an all-time high in 2024.” 

Dr. Saha mentioned that the state has established a State Level Drug-Free India Campaign Committee, as per the instructions of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This committee collaborates with various state departments, including the Social Welfare & Social Education Department, Home Department, Education Department, Youth Affairs & Sports Department, Narcotics Control Bureau, NGOs, and district-level committees, to combat drug addiction and implement preventive measures. 

“To curb the growing prevalence of drug use, the Youth Affairs and Sports Department initiated the ‘Nesha Mukt Tripura’ program under the 'Khelo Tripura, Shusto Tripura' project on September 11, 2022. Through this initiative, regular awareness campaigns are organized in blocks, subdivisions, districts, municipalities, and clubs across the state,” he said. 

Dr. Saha added that the Education Department, following guidelines from the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is training teachers through the Navchetna module to provide students with preventive education against addiction. 

“Tripura State AIDS Control Society has established Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centers in Kumarghat, Kailashahar, Damcherra, Ambassa, Jirania, and Jampui. Recently, a new OST Center was inaugurated in Bhati Abhaynagar. These centers, along with regular anti-addiction awareness programs, play a vital role in addressing addiction issues. 

The State Health Department, with financial assistance from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and AIIMS, New Delhi, established a Drug Treatment Clinic (DTC) at the Modern Psychiatric Hospital in Narsinghgarh in August 2019. This clinic offers free medications. Additionally, an Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) was launched at the De-Addiction Centre of the same hospital. Plans are underway to extend such facilities to other districts,” he noted. 

Dr. Saha emphasized that the ‘Nesha Mukt Tripura’ campaign, launched in October 2022 under the National Health Mission Tripura, has seen active participation. The National Service Scheme (NSS), Tripura branch, organized a mega awareness camp on drug addiction involving students from 22 general degree colleges in the state. 

He also mentioned that Integrated Counseling and Testing Centres (ICTC) operate in 24 hospitals, Facility Integrated Counseling and Testing Centres (FICTC) in 133 hospitals, along with 3 PPP-ICTCs and a Mobile Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre van. These facilities focus on raising awareness, offering counseling, and conducting tests for HIV/AIDS.