Punjab Government on Friday issued a stern warning to drug traffickers — abandon the drug trade or leave the state. Setting a three-month deadline for itself to make Punjab a “drug-free state”, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led State Government has launched an aggressive campaign to eliminate the drug menace. The decisive move comes after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s earlier declaration to make Punjab drug-free by August 15, 2024. The government’s renewed focus on the issue followed widespread criticism over the rising cases of drug addiction, overdose deaths, and the alarming spread of substance abuse among both men and women in the State. 

Mann, on Wednesday, chaired a high-level meeting in Chandigarh, where a comprehensive strategy was finalized to tackle the drug crisis. The meeting, attended by Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Police Commissioners, and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), top bureaucrats, and newly-constituted High-powered Cabinet Committee outlined a multi-faceted approach to disrupt the drug supply chain, rehabilitate victims, and punish offenders.

“This is a historic moment as the State Government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against drugs and is launching a crusade against this menace. Punjab Police has a long and glorious history of tackling hostile law and order situations,” he said, expressing hope that the Police will uphold its glorious tradition and make the state completely drug free with the active support and cooperation of general public.

Mann, in a strongly-worded directions, asked the state police force, “Within three months, there should be no availability of drugs; and after a month, evaluation of each SSP will be made on the progress in anti-drug programme in the district…All the officers will be accountable and action will be taken against the non-performers,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that there is no dearth of funds for this and assured fulsome support and cooperation to the Police and civil administration for this noble cause.

The police have been directed to identify drug hotspots, dismantle supply networks, and take stringent action against traffickers. Properties of drug peddlers will be confiscated and demolished, sending a strong message to those involved in the trade. Bulldozers have already been deployed to raze illegal properties of traffickers, including those of women involved in the trade, as seen in Patiala, Rupnagar, and Ludhiana.

The Commissioners of Police (CPs), DCs, and SSPs have been directed to work in tandem for effective implementation of the state’s anti-drug policies. Besides, the regular assessments will be conducted, and officers failing to show progress in anti-drug efforts will be held accountable.

At the same time, the Chief Minister assured the field officers that they will not face any sort of problem in giving a severe blow to drug menace. “War against drug has to be won by planning and execution at the micro level for which the officers have to play a proactive role,” he said.

To ensure swift justice, special courts will be established for the speedy trial of drug-related cases. The government has also vowed to oppose bail for accused traffickers and ensure timely submission of charge sheets and chemical reports in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases. “If any further amendment in the NDPS Act, to ensure exemplary action drug peddlers, will be required, they will be flagged with the Union Government,” said the Chief Minister.

Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to transform the anti-drug campaign into a mass movement. District-level campaigns, public meetings, seminars, cycle rallies, and sports events will be organized to raise awareness and mobilize communities against drugs. 

The Punjab Police’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has been strengthened to conduct targeted operations across the state. Crackdown on police personnel involved in drug abuse or trafficking has been ordered with special instructions to take strict action, including dismissal, against officers found guilty. Besides, enhanced surveillance and border control measures will be implemented to prevent the influx of narcotics from neighbouring states and international borders.

The government plans to strengthen de-addiction and rehabilitation centers, ensuring they are equipped with adequate infrastructure, psychiatrists, counselors, and security. Over three lakh drug victims are already undergoing treatment in OOAT (Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment) centers.  The families of drug addicts will receive counseling and support to facilitate reintegration into society.

Additionally, a new Mental Health Policy will regulate the operation of de-addiction centers, preventing monopolies and ensuring quality care. “Under this policy, individuals will be restricted to opening only a limited number of drug de-addiction centers. Additionally, the policy will ensure that each center has an adequate number of psychiatrists and staff members,” said the state Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh. At the same time, he warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found operating more de-addiction centers than the permitted limit.

Educational Initiatives

To prevent youth from falling prey to drugs, the government will introduce a curriculum in schools on Drug Awareness to educate students about the dangers of substance abuse. The state Education Department has been directed to introduce anti-drug courses in schools to create awareness among students at an early age. “Preventive measures should be taken in the school and colleges so that youth doesn’t fell prey to the scourge of drugs,” said Chief Minister Mann.

No Subsidies for Traffickers

In a bold move, the government has also announced that drug traffickers and their families will be barred from receiving any subsidies or benefits under state schemes, including free power and water. This measure aims to act as a deterrent and sever the financial incentives for those involved in the drug trade. The Chief Minister said that the necessary formalities regarding it will be finalized soon.

Support for Families of Drug Overdose Victims

The government has also decided to provide relief from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of individuals who succumb to drug overdoses. The Chief Minister also asked the DCs to ensure that SDMs or field officials visit the house of victims in case of drug overdose death and families of addicts in general to wipe out the menace.

Taking the Fight to the Streets

The Government’s aggressive approach is already visible on the ground, with demolition drives targeting properties of drug traffickers. Recently, bulldozers razed the homes of three female drug peddlers in Patiala, Ropar, and Ludhiana, sending a strong message that the government will not spare anyone involved in the drug trade. Citing an example of Narangwal village where illegal property of a drug smuggler was razed on Thursday evening, Mann said that a library will be constructed over the shamlat land where the house was razed. Additionally, surprise checks and extensive vehicle inspections are being conducted to curb the smuggling of narcotics. Officers have been directed to conduct fortnightly Combing and Search Operations (CASO) in known drug hotspots and weekly raids in jails to dismantle drug networks operating from within prisons.

Cabinet Sub-Committee to Oversee Operations

A five-member Cabinet sub-committee, headed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, has been formed to monitor the anti-drug campaign. The committee includes Ministers Aman Arora, Dr Balbir Singh, Laljit Singh Bhullar, and Tarunpreet Singh Sond. It will work closely, on the ground level, with the police and civil administration to ensure the effective implementation of the strategy.

Cracks Down on Unauthorized Sale of OTC Drugs

In a bid to curb the misuse of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh announced stringent measures to regulate their sale. The State Government has written to the Centre, urging the inclusion of certain OTC drugs under Schedule H1 to tighten control. Until then, strict stock limits have been imposed — that is, retailers can store only 20-30 capsules, while wholesalers are restricted to 500 capsules. Similar limits apply to suppliers and manufacturers. Dr Balbir emphasized that the Health Department is rigorously enforcing these rules to prevent unauthorized sales, which often fuel drug abuse.

AAP Blames Previous Govts for Menace

Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, AAP’s state unit president and the member high-powered cabinet sub-committee, blamed the previous governments for the proliferation of drugs in Punjab. He accused the Akali-BJP alliance (2007-2017) of introducing synthetic drugs like chitta and heroin into the state. Referring to the 2013 arrest of former DSP Jagdish Bhola, Arora said that the accused had revealed links to politicians, underscoring past government failures.

Arora also criticized the Congress Government (2017-2022) for failing to fulfill its promise of eradicating drugs within four weeks of coming to power.

Joining in, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema cited the unholy alliance between political leaders, drug smugglers, and police officers that patronize the drug trafficking in the state. “During the 2017 assembly elections, Capt Amarinder Singh had taken an oath with Gutka Sahib in his hand at Talwandi Sabo that his government, if formed, would completely eradicate drugs from the state, but after coming to power, nothing was done,” he said.

Highlighting the achievements of the AAP Government, Arora revealed that property worth Rs 612 crore has been seized from drug traffickers in the last three years, compared to Rs 142 crore during the Congress regime. The conviction rate in NDPS cases has risen to 85 percent — the highest in the country.

Cheema said: “that around 12,000 FIRs have been registered under the NDPS Act in the recent past, with only 24 individuals granted defaulter bail — a significant improvement from previous governments where political influence often led to defaulter bail for drug smugglers.”

The Government’s renewed focus on the drug menace stems from public outrage, particularly during the 2023 Lok Sabha elections, where women voters expressed frustration over the failure to control the crisis.

Call to Action

Chief Minister Mann has urged all stakeholders, including the police, civil administration, and the public, to join hands in this fight. “Punjab has defeated militancy in the past, and we will defeat drugs too,” he declared.

BOX: Punjab’s War Against Drugs

·         Properties of drug traffickers to be confiscated and demolished

·         Special courts to ensure fast-track trials and convictions in drug-related cases

·         No subsidies to Drug traffickers and their families

·         Police to identify drug hotspots, disrupt supply chains

·         DCs to lead district-level campaigns to mobilize communities against drugs

·         Upgradation of de-addiction and rehab centers

·         New Mental Health Policy to regulate de-addiction centers, preventing monopolies

·         School curriculum on drug awareness

·         Restrictions imposed on sale of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs

·         Families of addicts to be provided counseling and support

·         Monthly-evaluation of SSPs, Action against non-performers

·         Strict action against cops involved in drug consumption or promotion

·         Comprehensive inquiries into all cases of drug overdose deaths in the state

·         Govt to approach Centre to strengthen border security, curb cross-border drug smuggling

·         Relief from CM’s Relief Fund to families of drug overdose victims