Punjab Government is all set to launch a unique programme against drug abuse, primarily aimed at youngsters, on the martyrdom day of ‘youth icon’ Shaheed Bhagat Singh — that is March 23 which will be observed as the ‘Youth Empowerment Day’.
Drug Abuse Prevention Officers (DAPO) programme will be one-of-its-kind doorstep campaign initiated by the state government against drug abuse.
For the same, the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has directed the Deputy Commissioners and the Senior Superintendents of Police to personally oversee its implementation.
The decision and directives were issued during the Chief Minister’s meeting with the DCs and SSPs, which was also attended by the top government officials.
Describing DAPO as a major initiative for partnering the community to prevent drug abuse, Capt Amarinder said that it was the top-most priority of his government, in which he expected all DCs and SSPs to be actively involved, on the ground, to ensure its successful implementation through their hard work and best efforts.
Capt Amarinder ordered all departments, both at the district and state levels, as well as the anti-drugs Special Task Force (STF) to work in cohesion to execute the programme. The Chief Minister’s Office, he said, would closely monitor the program on a fortnightly basis.
The Chief Minister asked the officials to immediately launch a multi-media awareness campaign on to ensure maximum enlistment of DAPOs and coverage of each locality in the State.
He further instructed them to initiate the enlistment process immediately.
Giving details of the programme, an official spokesperson later said that it was designed as a doorstep model, and aimed at generating a mass movement, whereby each DAPO will aim to make his locality a Nasha Mukt Mohalla. The DAPOs will be provided training and their work would be suitably rewarded, he added.
All government employees of the Punjab Government, approximately three lakhs, and the elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, approximately one lakh, will be the ex-officio DAPOs under the programme.