Malerkotla: Eradicating drug demand as important as cracking down on supply, says ADC

Malerkotla, August 30

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Designated personnel in the Police, Health, Education, Social Security, and Sports Departments have been advised to enhance coordinated efforts to sensitise youths about causes and consequences of drug abuse, besides breaking the supply chain of contrabands and undertaking rehabilitation of addicts undergoing de-addiction.

Instructions were given during the concluding session of a periodic meeting of the District Level Committee held under the Norco Coordination Centre Mechanism under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Pallavi.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu presided over the meeting, while Assistant Commissioner Harbans Singh, DSP Kuldeep Singh, the Deputy Medical Commissioner, Dr Rishma Bhaura, District Education Officer Jaswinder Kaur, District Sports Officer Gurdeep Singh, and Drug Inspector Navpreet Singh represented their respective departments.

Appreciating the outcome of the crusade launched by SSP Gagan Ajit Singh, the chairperson of the committee, Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu, said counselling drug addicts, their rehabilitation, and educating youth on the causes and consequences of the menace of drug abuse was as important as breaking the supply chain of narcotics and drugs.

He said, “Seizure of large quantities of drugs and narcotics by the police during recent months suggests that the supply chain has been strained enough. But at the same time we have to check the demand level too, which can be done by focussing more attention on sensitising stakeholders through personal counselling and organising seminars.”

Deputy Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Singh said 175 drug peddlers involved in 131 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 cases had been arrested and sent to jail since January this year. He said assets worth 10.25 crore belonging to 12 peddlers were forfeited during the period.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police said 836.5 kg of poppy husk, 2.35 kg of heroin, 22.96 kg of opium, and 25,075 habit-forming tablets and capsules were among the contrabands seized during this period, besides recovering Rs 1.16 lakh in drug money.