Punjab Minister announces Rs 2 lakh for PU centre

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 5

The Centre for Human Rights and Duties, Panjab University, in collaboration with the National Institute of Social Defence, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, New Delhi, organised a two-day international conference on the theme, ‘A Conversation for Change: Human Rights, Youth and Drugs’.

Balbir Singh Sidhu, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Government of Punjab, in his inaugural address, talked about the history of drug menace in Punjab. He said drug menace had increased due to unemployment. He requested the youth to control the use of drugs and spread awareness about the same in society. He announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh to the centre to carry out more such activities in the future.

Manmohan Singh, IPS, Additional Director, Intelligence Bureau, discussed the present scenario of drugs in the country and how the issue is related to human rights. He said to tackle the drug menace, focus should be laid on three Es – Engineering (Social), Education (Awareness) and Enforcement of Laws. While tracing the origin of the problem of drug menace in Punjab, he mentioned the role played by various international and national bodies and NGOs in safeguarding the rights of the people.

He also mentioned the position of women in a drug addict family and what hardships they had to face after the demise of male drug addict members of the family. He concluded his talk by stating that “together we can bring the change.”

Harpreet Singh Sidhu, IPS, ADGP, Special Task Force, Punjab, comprehensively discussed about “Comprehensive Actions Against Drug Abuse”, a strategy developed by the Government of India. He mentioned about the importance of forming a strategy to control drug abuse. An effective strategy for such an issue should be formed on the basis of enforcement, de-addiction and preventive measures.

He also raised concern over lack of national prevention programmes in the country. He said: “Awareness alone will not solve the problem. Behavioural change is required. We need to strengthen the protective factors that can help the youth”. He also discussed about the Buddy Programme and DAPO Programme initiated by the Government of Punjab.

Veerendra Mishra, Director, NISD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, New Delhi while applauding the theme of the conference stated that adding the word ‘conversation’ itself under the theme depicts the positivity of the conference. He divided his session into two parts by identifying this problem with both criminal justice system and social justice system. He stated that according to a survey only 5 per cent of the heroine was seized and 95 per cent was still in the market. He explained the importance of the theme as Indian population majorly consists of youth.

Earlier, Vice-Chancellor Prof Raj Kumar, in his welcome address, emphasised that the problem of drugs could be solved by involving counsellors.

He also laid emphasis on involving school children from higher classes to make them aware of the issues related to drug menace. Awareness programmes need to be organised from time to time to address this issue so that youth and society become more vigilant to such issues.

He said involvement of general public, along with academic institutions and government institutions, was also important in curbing this menace.