Karnal, June 25: Dr. Pankaj Saini, Assistant Director (Prosecution) and District Attorney, Karnal, stated that efforts to make the district drug-free are ongoing in accordance with the guidelines issued by the government and senior officials regarding cases under the NDPS Act. The objective is to secure maximum punishment for the accused by having government lawyers present witnesses and evidence robustly in court. These convictions also send a clear message to those involved in the drug trade that engaging in this business leads to imprisonment.
Dr. Pankaj Saini noted that the government is strictly enforcing drug-related laws with the aim of making the state drug-free and liberating society from drug addiction. In this regard, the annual report on NDPS Act cases shows that Karnal district has maintained an average conviction rate of 80 percent.

**110 accused sent behind bars after conviction in 101 cases**
Dr. Pankaj Saini stated that significant quantities of contraband—such as opium, cannabis (ganja), charas, smack, and other narcotics—were recovered from the accused in various NDPS Act cases between 2024 and May 2026. The details are as follows: between January 1, 2026, and July 31, 2026, 52 accused were convicted in 46 drug trafficking cases. Similarly, between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, 110 accused were convicted and sent behind bars in 101 cases.
Meanwhile, according to the 2024 annual report, accused persons were convicted and sent to jail in 178 out of 204 cases. These cases involved the seizure of narcotic substances in quantities classified as 'medium' or 'large' under the NDPS Act and were pending trial in the courts of Additional District and Sessions Judges. A special court dedicated to drug-related cases has also been established in Karnal district for the year 2025.

**Raising Awareness Among Students About Drug Abuse**
Dr. Pankaj Saini stated that, given the seriousness of drug-related issues, a meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner is held every month. Officials from the Police Department, District Attorney's office, Health Department, Agriculture Department, Drug Control Office, District Social Welfare Office, and HSNCB (Karnal), among others, participate in these meetings.
During these sessions, the Deputy Commissioner issues periodic directives to all officials to organize awareness camps—targeting schools, colleges, and the general public—to educate both children and adults about the evils of drug abuse.