A day after Punjab Cabinet resolved to recommend death penalty to the Central Government for drug smugglers and peddlers, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday ordered investigation into the recent spate of drug-related deaths followed by stringent action against those found guilty, without consideration to their political affiliations.
At the same time, the Chief Minister has decided to hold a meeting at 3 pm every Monday to review the progress of the fight against drug menace.
Describing drug abuse as a “disease requiring treatment”, Capt Amarinder stressed on the need for rehabilitation of the victims and for making anti-drug campaign a people’s movement.
During an interaction with a group of social activists, Capt Amarinder pointed out that enforcement was different from creating awareness and the latter could not be done by a single agency but had to be a collective effort involving the people.
The activists, including Dr Bhupinder Singh, Hakam Singh, Baltej Pannu and Baljinder Singh (Mintoo) — who is a reformed drug addict, had recently launched ‘Black Week against Drugs’ campaign on the social media to create awareness about the problem.
Welcoming the stern steps taken by the State Government, the activists said that it had brought about a perceptible change in the public mood and perception about the issue.
The activists squarely blamed the Akalis, who they said did nothing to channelize the energy of the youth. “The erstwhile Akali government had pulled money out of sports and other activities that could engage youth, thus letting them be pulled into drugs,” they said.
Capt Amarinder promised all cooperation to the activists in creating awareness against drugs and suggested that they organize rallies and candle marches in villages, in coordination with Anti-Drug Abuse Prevention Officers (DAPO) program, already launched by the government.
He added that the deputy commissioners (DCs) and the Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) should also participate in such events.
The activists also suggested formation of committees, consisting of 10-15 youth each in villages, to identify drug addicts. Private hospitals should be asked to provide treatment to drug addicts, they suggested, in response to which the Chief Minister asked the state Health and family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra to talk to private hospitals for reservation of some beds for addicts.
They expressed concern over the ‘deep nexus’ between drug dealers and police personnel, especially at the SI and ASI levels. People were afraid to identify such cops, they said, urging strong steps to build confidence among the citizens.
The activists suggested steps to ease out traditional intoxicants such as “bhukki and afeem”, besides medical examination of all addicts. A helpline should be introduced for drug addicts, they added while suggesting that a lady officer be deputed in the STF to help weaning women away from drugs.
Mintoo, a reformed drug addict, who said that he had got into drugs on his own, revealed that he had been weaned out of drugs with the help of substitutes.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, CAPT WARNS DRUG SMUGGlERS
Issuing a stern warning to drug smugglers and peddlers against continuing to destroy the state, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday asked them to give up their activities or face stringent consequences.
“Our government would change the law to tackle the menace, besides recommending to the Union Government death penalty for offenders,” the Chief Minister said in a video tweeted by him on his official Twitter handle.
“They have done enough damage to Punjab, and I want to make it clear that we will not allow this to continue,” the Chief Minister asserted, adding that his government would take the strictest possible action against offenders.
Pointing to the spate of drug-related deaths in the state, the Chief Minister said that the last few days had witnessed a lot of furore over drugs and his government had decided to come down on drug smugglers with an iron hand.
Several important decisions had been taken by the government in the last couple of days, he said, adding that as long as he was there, he would ensure that the drug problem comes to an end.
Referring to the victims of drug abuse, the Chief Minister said that he had directed the state Health and Family Welfare Minister Bram Mohindra to coordinate with both public and private hospitals to ensure that proper treatment is provided to them.