Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s decision to make dope test mandatory for all Government servants is apparently having an equal and opposite reaction. On one hand it has triggered an equally strong ‘dope-test’ challenge from politicians in the State. On the other, the hullabaloo created by the “dare” is having the contrary effect of putting on the backburner the real issue of tackling the drug menace that snuffed over two dozen lives in past month alone.
While more and more elected representatives are participating in the “drama” over the dope test, many are raising voice “against” the decision and calling for “effecting strategy” instead to deal with the problem.
A day after Capt Amarinder declared that he was ready to undergo a dope-test, three more leaders — Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rana KP Singh, Congress’ MP from ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu and SAD MlA from Banga Sukhwinder Kumar — voluntarily underwent the examination on Friday.
On Thursday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MlA Aman Arora, Congress MlAs Kuljit Singh Nagra and Joginder Pal voluntarily gave their samples for dope tests. Cabinet Minister Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, who also went for the test, was denied considering his continuing medication.
Dubbing as “drama” over the issue of dope test, senior BJP leader Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina said that the people of Punjab want concrete actions and well-mechanized strategies from Punjab Government to curb the drug menace prevalent in the state, and are not interested if Chief Minister takes dope test.
“Concerted efforts are needed to break the nexus between police, smugglers and political leaders which is creating a havoc in the social life,” said Chhina while asking the politician from all parties to restrain from making dramatic and reckless statements on public forums.
lashing out at the government and the Chief Minister, BJP leader said that they should realize the fact that drugs are killing the youth and ruining families across the state. “The government seems to be doing nothing about the problem,” he added while urging everyone to rise above political lines and join hands to deal with the “monstrous rise” of drug addiction.
AAP MlA and former journalist Kanwar Sandhu blamed the Congress government of diverting the “real” issue by talking about the dope test for the government employees. “The government should have opted for zero tolerance towards drugs,” he said.
Sandhu suggested that dope tests “should only be done of the employees who are in uniform like the paramilitary forces, police and home guard. The dope test of rest of the staff is not required…and now, if the voice is being raised, the Chief Minister, the legislators and the MPs should also have a dope test”.
Kharar MlA also suggested that instead of pending approximately Rs 60 crores for conducting dope tests, the amount “should be spent on the development of the functionality of the de-addiction centers and the infrastructure for further development”.
Maintaining that all the MPs and MlAs of AAP are ready to undergo dope test, including Bhagwant Mann, Sandhu said that the government should clarify which all drugs will be included in the dope test.
Punjab legislative Assembly Speaker Rana KP Singh, who took the test at Mohali Civil Hospital, said that it was very disheartening that the land of gurus and legendary warriors is facing such a menace.
Saying that the police was capable of fighting the drug menace, Singh said: “There are some black sheep in the force but most police officers discharge their duties with utmost honesty…A further increase in the vigil on the international border to stop the inflow of drugs.”
He appealed to all political parties to join hands with the state government in its fight against drugs saying that there was an urgent need to build a mass movement against drugs, which should be apolitical.
SAD MlA, who took the dope test at Nawanshahr district civil hospital, said that he firmly believed that only leaders free from all kinds of drug addiction could urge youngsters to shun drugs. “Only such elected leaders can ensure a drug-free Punjab as then the drug peddlers would not find any political patronage,” he said.
Meanwhile, the experts have criticized the ban on the sale and purchase of syringes without the doctor’s prescription saying that it would only further complex the problem.
“This ban on syringes is not the solution as the government’s this solution would only fuel the problem. The addicts would share the needles exposing them to the danger of HIV which will further complex the situation,” a government doctor said, requesting anonymity.
The doctor stressed that there was a dire need for de-addiction and rehabilitation. “The addicts would find some way. The situation is as such that addicts are now injecting themselves with drug de-addiction tablets issued by medical practitioners and rehab centres. How can you stop them from using needles when their body demands the drugsIJ The solution is in de-addicting and rehabilitating them,” said the doctor.