28/06/2026
HANDS has consistently commemorated International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with its flagship event apart from the regular work at the rehabilitation center.
This year, HANDS collaborated with the Kalimpong District Administration and Kalimpong District Police on two distinct programs.
In the first program, HANDS, along with these key government departments, invited Samaj leaders from Kalimpong, especially school disciplinary committees, to focus on identifying vulnerable children and conducting safe interventions. A powerful moment was a performance by the renowned theatre group, Bhanu and Pala, which demonstrated how communities must unite to address social issues. Superintendent of Police Aparajita Rai addressed and led the gathering in identifying substance abuse signs with a PPT presentation, while the District Magistrate affirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting the police and organizations like HANDS. Mr. Ashok Pradhan, board member of HANDS, welcomed the attendees, and Mr. Nereus Mukhia delivered the vote of thanks. Patients from the SHUDDHI project, who completed one year sober, were honored, along with the staff and volunteers of the HANDS rehabilitation center, by the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, together with elected representative Mr. Palden Tamang of 36 No Samasti. The program was immensely impactful and concluded with all participants enriched with knowledge and a renewed commitment. Another significant milestone, HANDS achieved this year was by launching the three years, survay on the prevalence of substance abuse in the district of Kalimpong, which was undertaken and researched by Dr Nalini Lama and psychologist Kostov Parajuli. This survay now empowered HANDS with the exact data of the intensity of how widely substance abuse has been plaguing our small district of Kalimpong. The Kalimpong NGO Network team also facilitated HANDS for working diligently against substance abuse for the last 20 years.
In the second program, the Kalimpong District Police team, led by the Superintendent, visited the rehabilitation center, accompanied by elected leader Mr. Palden Tamang. There, the patients organized a heartfelt program of solo and group songs, and both the Superintendent and the Sabhasad offered motivational speeches, reaffirming their dedication to the fight against substance abuse.
This year, on 26th June, was truly fruitful, as all district heads joined HANDS to reinforce efforts in making Kalimpong a drug-free district, in line with the Central Government’s Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
