Himachal Pradesh has emerged as the second most drug-affected state in India after Punjab, with alarming statistics revealing that nearly 9% of schoolchildren in the state use injectable drugs, Shimla MP Suresh Kashyap informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Speaking during a parliamentary session, Kashyap highlighted the growing drug menace in Himachal Pradesh, particularly among the youth. He urged the central government to take urgent steps to curb the spread of narcotics in the hill state, which has become a transit hub for drug smuggling. Alarming Drug Abuse Among Youth The revelation that 9% of school-going children are using injectable drugs has sparked serious concerns among policymakers and parents. According to Kashyap, drug abuse is rampant in districts like Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla, where authorities have reported a sharp rise in narcotics-related cases. “Himachal Pradesh is facing a severe drug crisis, second only to Punjab. What is even more disturbing is that ...