Only 1 pc Punjabis addicts, says Jyani

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 26

Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani has said that only 1 per cent population of Punjab is addicted to drugs.

A few forces with vested interests are trying to malign the image of the state on drug abuse, he claimed.

Jyani was here to participate in a state-level function organised to observe International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at the drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centre here today.

Jyani said that despite the false propaganda, the state government was focussing on making Punjab a drug-free state. “A survey in 10 districts has revealed that only 1.8 per cent of the population is addicted to drugs. If the survey is done in all 22 districts, the figure will drop down to only 1 per cent,” he said.

He said that of the total 2,200 beds at drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in all districts in the state, over 1,900 are unoccupied.

“Only 250 patients are admitted at these centres across the state. If the claims on drug abuse were true, government health facilities would have been over-occupied,” he said.