Sports most effective tool against drug abuse

Sports have emerged as the most effective tool for the administration for preventing drug abuse and crime. Police personnel have remained in direct contact with the public for organising or sponsoring sports fairs and tournaments. This keeps the youth away from crime and drug abuse through their engagement in sports, besides developing good habits, building social connections and staying healthy.

Organisers of sports events too have shown an inclination to such invites and involve the police of their respective areas for seeking organised guidance and skill to persuade the youngsters to adopt sports as a part of their lifestyle. Observations have revealed that sports have proved to be the most effective tool for the administration for diverting youth from criminal acts. Besides, most of the sports fairs and tournaments are graced by senior functionaries of the administration in general and the police department in particular. The Kila Raipur rural sports, which were once popular as Mini Olympics, got huge success when the mega event was supported by the police department.

Though successive governments have been trying to use sports events and their platform for advocating their policies, various campaigns launched by the Punjab Government against social evils, including drug abuse and violence, especially through sports events, have brought positive results. Senior functionaries in Malerkotla, Ludhiana (Rural), Ludhiana and Khanna police district remained most sought-after dignitaries in this connection.

Wrestling, kabbadi, football, volleyball, cricket and rural sports were cited among the events, organisers of which wished that senior police functionaries motivate participants in their events and spread awareness about causes and consequences of drug abuse and violence by addressing the gatherings.

Shiv Narad Buta, an office-bearer of the Ahmedgarh Sports and Social Welfare Organisation, claimed that their annual football tournament was dedicated to the fight against drug abuse and violence for the past few years. “Though we used to ensure that none of the players or spectators consume drugs and narcotics during the event, we have started undertaking signature campaign against crime and drug abuse, besides involving the Malerkotla district police in organising the three-day event,” said Buta.

DSP (Special ) Ranjit Singh Bains said hundreds of sports events had been organised at localities falling under jurisdiction of Malerkotla, Ahmedgarh and Amargarh subdivisions, jointly in association of several sports organisations during the ongoing war against drug abuse and crime.

“While we sponsored several events, including wrestling championships, hockey tournaments and kabaddi, volleyball and football tournaments under our community policing scheme, we played an active role in sensitising residents about the causes and consequences of drug abuse by addressing gatherings during various events taking place in the area,” said Bains.

Gagan Ajit Singh, SSP, appreciated that sports had been one of the most effective tools for the police in the fight against drug abuse and crime. “Having observed that sports can be a powerful tool for crime and drug abuse prevention, we roped in sports organisations and civic bodies to facilitate interaction with the youths for offering them positive alternatives, fostering life skills and promoting health,” said Gagan Ajit Singh, while appreciating that youth of the region understood that sports could offer a positive alternative to anti-social activities.

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