Drug slow poison, breaking families, society: Kataria

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria emphasised that drugs are a slow poison which break families and society.

He was speaking at a social media campaign to raise awareness against drug abuse. The event was among various anti-drug campaigns organised by the Chandigarh zonal unit of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under the theme “Nashe se azadi” across the UT and neighbouring states.

The campaigns, which were part of the 79th Independence Day celebrations, reached students, the pharmaceutical sector and the citizens through on-ground activities and digital platforms, spreading the message of a “Nasha-mukt Bharat”.

The drive began at the AKSIPS-41 Smart School where Amanjit Singh, Additional Director, NCB Chandigarh, addressed students on the legal consequences of drug abuse and the Government of India’s efforts to combat the menace.

The students pledged to “Say no to drugs, say yes to life.” Later in the evening, a vibrant outreach at Elante mall featured a nukkad natak, a dance performance, a motivational talk by Amandeep Singh (Steel Man of India) and songs by a renowned Punjabi singer, creatively reinforcing the anti-drug message. At a sensitisation workshop, representatives of 20 pharmaceutical companies deliberated on compliance, record-keeping and responsible handling of controlled substances.

For a wider outreach, drug awareness messages were disseminated via radio broadcasts and SMS alerts through telecom service providers across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

In a social media campaign, Kataria, along with Chandigarh DGP Dr Sagar Preet Hooda, Haryana Narcotics Control Director General OP Singh, Chandigarh IG ANTF Jairaj Singh Dhaliwal and Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt, appealed to the people to stay away from drugs.

Alia termed drugs as a serious threat to life and society, urging everyone to say “No to drugs and yes to life” and encouraging citizens to take the e-pledge. IGP Pushpender Kumar, underlined that strict action was being taken against drug trafficking and appealed to society to extend full cooperation in building a drug-free community.