Sangrur, September 7:- To make the ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign launched by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann to make Punjab drug-free more effective at the grassroots level, a district-level review meeting was held at Sangrur under the leadership of Finance Minister S. Harpal Singh Cheema with Village and Ward Defence Committees, Block Coordinators and officials of the civil and police administration.
During the meeting, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema said that the campaign launched by the Chief Minister with firm determination was yielding encouraging results. People were coming forward to break free from the grip of drugs and adopt a healthy life, while strict action against drug traffickers had dealt a severe blow to the drug trade. He said that the campaign had become a boon for those giving up drugs and a disaster for drug traffickers.
The Finance Minister said that victory against drugs would be possible not merely by arresting traffickers, but by reducing the demand for drugs and reconnecting drug-affected persons with the mainstream of society. He urged the Village and Ward Defence Committees to increase direct interaction with panchayats, religious and social organizations and youth, and make the campaign a collective voice of every household. He directed officials to ensure time-bound disposal of complaints related to drugs, install surveillance cameras at required locations and further strengthen the basic infrastructure of de-addiction centres.
MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj said that along with action against those selling drugs, reducing the demand for drugs was equally important. Dialogue between parents and children, family bonding and connecting youth with sports could serve as an effective social shield against drugs. She appreciated the efforts being made by the Village and Ward Defence Committees and the administration to bring youth out of the quagmire of drugs.
On this occasion, Deputy Commissioner Poonamdeep Kaur, SSP Dr. Ravjot Kaur Grewal, Civil Surgeon Dr. Amarjit Kaur, along with officials of various departments and representatives of the committees, were present.