By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 26 Jun: On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a special awareness and capacity-building workshop was organised at the Municipal Council Hall, Mussoorie, for hoteliers, resort and homestay owners, restaurateurs, café operators, and those associated with the tourism industry. The event was held under the aegis of the District Administration and the Social Welfare Department. The workshop aimed to sensitise tourism professionals about their legal responsibilities, safety measures, and social obligations regarding drug-related issues. Addressing the gathering, Dr Rajesh Kumar stated that making Uttarakhand a safe, responsible, and drug-free tourism state is a government priority. He emphasised that the fight against substance abuse is not solely the responsibility of the police and administration but also that of every citizen and everyone involved in the tourism sector. He remarked, “Hotels, homestays, and tourism establishments are the identity of Uttarakhand. If any form of illegal activity or drug abuse is encouraged here, it tarnishes the image of the entire state. Therefore, all establishment operators must remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity to the police and administration.” Dr Rajesh Kumar informed the audience that the Uttarakhand government operates two modern de-addiction centres in the state, where individuals struggling with addiction receive treatment under the supervision of expert doctors and counsellors. He noted that these centres boast a recovery rate of over 80 percent, reflecting the success of the treatment system. He stressed that those in the grip of addiction need proper treatment and family support, not social stigma.
Making a special appeal to families, Dr Rajesh Kumar urged that, if a family member is undergoing treatment for addiction at a de-addiction centre, the treatment should not be abandoned midway in favour of faith healing, occult practices, or other unscientific methods. He noted that family members sometimes discontinue treatment prematurely to try alternative methods of recovery, which disrupts the treatment process and risks the patient relapsing into addiction. He urged everyone to adhere to medical advice and complete the full course of treatment to ensure the best outcomes. During the workshop, experts briefed operators of hotels, homestays, and other tourism establishments on guest verification, record-keeping, CCTV surveillance, reporting suspicious activities, and relevant laws concerning narcotics. They also warned that instances of negligence could lead to both legal action and measures affecting the establishment’s licence. At the conclusion of the event, tourism operators pledged, alongside the administration, to transform Mussoorie into a safe, responsible, and drug-free tourist destination. Officials expressed confidence that an effective anti-drug campaign could be driven through public participation and awareness.
