Seeking bail for peddlers to invite name & shame action

The Department of Health held a district-level meeting with the office-bearers of Drug De-Addiction Morcha at the Civil Hospital today, under the “War against Drugs” campaign.

Advertisement

Dixit Dhawan, in-charge of the Urban Drug De-Addiction Morcha and Husanpreet Singh Sialka, in-charge of the Rural Drug De-Addiction Morcha, briefed officials on the focus and ground impact of the anti-drug action being taken. He said that the Morcha will run a public campaign against drugs and by reaching out to the general public, patients in need of treatment will be identified and supported.

“The government is providing free treatment to drug addicts at de-addiction centres and skill training is also being provided to them for job opportunities. Under the public campaign, people from villages and cities, who go to the police for recommendation or go to the court for bail of drug peddlers, will be named and shamed and boycotted socially. The public campaign begins its next phase from July 1.”

Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur said that under the Punjab Government’s campaign, the purpose of the meeting was to disseminate information about the public campaign. “All those who want to quit drugs can be motivated and brought for free treatment at the government drug de-addiction centres.

The treatment is free of cost and rehabilitation also aims at successful re-integration into society. A toll-free number has been issued by the Health Department in this regard. Volunteers can call on 1800-1376-754 for information about the campaign,” she said.