Even as drug abuse continues to top the agenda in Punjab, the state government has stepped up the game by setting up a five-member Cabinet committee to further augment the drug war. The step has been taken with a vision to rationalize action against drug abuse and ensure better coordination between different departments waging the battle against the evil.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema will chair a committee with other members such as New and Renewable Energy Minister Aman Arora, Health Minister Balbir Singh, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, and Industries Minister Taranpreet Sond. Their prime responsibility will be to keep tabs on and guide the police and health departments to check drug-related activities and the rehabilitation program support.
Punjab has been facing a serious drug problem for long, with thousands of young people falling prey to addiction. The easy availability of drugs is a big worry, and despite numerous crackdowns, the problem hasn’t abated. The government has been criticized, particularly last year during the Lok Sabha polls
Earlier, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had formed a State Steering Committee to monitor de-addiction initiatives with Chief Secretary KAP Sinha as its head. Since the problem, however, was still not addressed, the government believed that something more specific needed to be done at the Cabinet level.
Government’s Efforts So Far
To fight the drug menace, the Punjab government has taken several steps in the last few months. It launched an Anti-Drug Helpline and a WhatsApp Chatbot (9779100200) to allow reporting of drug smuggling anonymously. Punjab Police have also increased raids, arresting over 10,000 smugglers, including 153 key operators, and seizing massive quantities of narcotics.
In spite of these efforts, reports indicate that almost 15% of Punjab’s population is addicted to drugs. Deaths due to overdoses have become increasingly common, fueling public anxiety. Experts opine that in addition to stringent law enforcement, there is a pressing need for increased awareness campaigns, community-based rehabilitation programs, and mental health counseling.
As per experts the formation of the Cabinet committee is being read as a strong indication from the government that it is serious about going after the drug problem seriously. While enforcement will remain vital, focus is also being given to long-term solutions like better rehabilitation centers, stricter community participation, and preventive education programs.
With this new initiative, Punjab aims to turn the tide of the drug epidemic and protect its youth against addiction. However, the real impact of these actions will be felt only in a couple of months as the government puts its action plan into action