Sikkim set to rope in Sanjay Dutt as ‘antinarcotics’ brand ambassador

The Sikkim government is set to rope in actor Sanjay Dutt as its anti-narcotics brand ambassador, chief minister Pawan Chamling announced on Friday. The government will, however, decriminalise the use of drugs but get tougher with the peddlers.

Sikkim Anti-Drugs Act (SADA) 2006 stipulates prison term from six months to five years and Rs 1 lakh fine for peddlers, while consumers can face six months in jail and Rs 20,000 fine. After the amendment, consumers will not face any punishment while the peddlers will face harsher punishments. Drug or substance use will no longer be treated as an offence, but rather a disease that needs treatment.

The Himalayan state is plagued by rampant substance abuse and has one of the highest suicide rates in the country.

“I have sent a message to Sanjay Dutt, requesting him to be the brand ambassador of Sikkim for the awareness campaign against drug abuse. If he comes and speaks against drug abuse there would be a deep impact,” said Pawan Chamling.

In January, the state had appointed music maestro AR Rahman as its tourism ambassador, while in June singer Mohit Chauhan became its green ambassador.

Chamling added that both Dutt and former US president Barack Obama had consumed drugs. However, both got rid of it, giving a strong message to the world. “Sanjay Dutt won over drugs and reached the level he has attained,” said the CM.

“Once society stops stigmatising narcotics consumers as criminals, they would become receptive to treatment,” said the chief minister.

“The government is studying about the causes for drug abuse and how that can be checked,” said Sikkim health secretary Vishal Chauhan.

“...evils like drugs, AIDS and the frequent occurrences of suicides are posing a great threat to our youth who are the torchbearers of Sikkim’s peace and progress,” Chamling wrote in a post earlier.

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