Punjab Government Forms Cabinet Committee to Step Up Battle Against Drug Menace. In a firm step to tackle the growing drug menace in Punjab, the state government has formed a five-member Cabinet committee committed to fighting drug addiction and drug trafficking. This move reflects the government’s resolve to root out the widespread drug menace in the region.
Composition and Terms of Reference of the Committee
The new committee, which is led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, has New and Renewable Energy Minister Aman Arora, Health Minister Balbir Singh, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, and Industries Minister Taranpreet Sondh as members. Their key duty is to oversee and coordinate the activities of the police and health departments in managing drug-related matters so that both enforcement and rehabilitation are handled effectively and in coordination.
Background and Previous Initiatives
This move comes after Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann formed a State Steering Committee headed by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha with Principal Secretary Rahul Tiwari as the nodal officer. The Steering Committee was responsible for overseeing and coordinating de-addiction and rehabilitation activities in the state. The drug issue has continued despite these measures, leading to the creation of the new Cabinet committee to step up and streamline the state’s response.
Recent Initiatives and Public Participation
The Punjab government has introduced various initiatives in recent months to fight drug abuse. An Anti-Drug Helpline and WhatsApp Chatbot (9779100200) were launched to prompt citizens to report drug trafficking anonymously, creating public participation in the anti-drug campaign. The government has also increased crackdowns on drug traffickers, resulting in massive arrests and seizures. During the last decade, the Punjab Police have apprehended more than 10,000 smugglers, including 153 high-value operators, and have confiscated huge amounts of drugs. citeturn0search8
Ongoing Challenges
In spite of all these initiatives, Punjab remains plagued by a serious drug issue. Research has shown that more than 3 million individuals in the state are using drugs, which represents about 15.4% of the population. citeturn0search5 Drugs have been widely available, with frequent news reports of several drug overdose fatalities within a short span. citeturn0search1
Political Implications
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been in the dock regarding the widespread use of drugs in the state, particularly during last year’s Lok Sabha elections. The opposition had criticized the government for not making sufficient efforts to curb the use of drugs. The establishment of the Cabinet committee is viewed as a tactical reaction to these accusations, with a view to highlighting the government’s proactive approach on the issue.
Expert Opinions
Experts stress the necessity of a multi-pronged strategy to deal with the drug scourge effectively. Dr. Ruby Ahuja, a clinical psychologist, recommends that in addition to enforcement, there must be an emphasis on preventive strategies, such as education and community involvement, to counter the causes of addiction. citeturn0search9
Future Outlook
The formation of the Cabinet committee is a major milestone in Punjab’s long fight against drug addiction. Through an integration of activities among multiple departments and engaging the stakeholders in society, the government seeks to adopt an all-encompassing approach that tackles both supply and demand sides of the drug menace. The success of this initiative will be intently watched in the next few months as the state seeks to protect its future generations from the problem of addiction.
