Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday reiterated his commitment to eradicating the drug menace from the state, emphasising that the battle against drugs is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement but requires a collective effort from society. He called for a mass movement to combat the crisis and urged citizens to actively participate in making Punjab drug-free.
Addressing an event where numerous NCC, NSS, and school students took an oath to abstain from drugs, Mann lauded the involvement of the youth and acknowledged the proactive stance taken by village panchayats in passing resolutions to declare their villages drug-free zones. He stressed that community participation is crucial in tackling the problem effectively.
Highlighting the achievements of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in governance, Mann praised the initiatives of national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He credited former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia for revolutionizing the education system and former Health Minister Satyendar Jain for pioneering the Mohalla Clinic concept, which improved healthcare accessibility.
Mann emphasized that the fight against drugs must be transformed into a people’s movement. "Every day, village panchayats are passing resolutions to keep their villages free from drugs. They are pledging to report any drug traffickers to the police, ensuring that illegal activities do not take root in their communities," he stated.
Also Read: Punjab Police busts drug racket, seizes 3.5 Kg heroin
Encouraging public participation, the Chief Minister urged citizens to report drug-related activities through a dedicated WhatsApp helpline (9779100200), assuring that informants’ identities would remain confidential.
Mann also reiterated his government’s zero-tolerance policy against drug traffickers, warning those who have profited from the illicit trade that their illegally acquired properties would be demolished. "Bulldozers are running every day over properties built with drug money. Just yesterday, demolition drives were carried out in Muktsar," he revealed.
He underscored the importance of a comprehensive strategy beyond law enforcement to address drug addiction. Recognizing that disrupting supply chains alone is insufficient, Mann detailed his government’s holistic approach to rehabilitation, which includes medical treatment, educational opportunities, and employment programs for recovering addicts. "When we cut off supply chains, those already addicted face withdrawal challenges. We have set up well-equipped rehabilitation centers, medical facilities, and education and job opportunities to ensure they do not relapse," he explained.
Also Read: Punjab Police bust narco-smuggling network, arrest two
The Chief Minister also announced that the drug-free oath campaign would be expanded across Punjab. He stated that students from schools, colleges, NCC, and NSS units would play a pivotal role in fostering awareness and strengthening the fight against drugs. "Slowly but surely, every young person in Punjab will take an oath against drugs, making this a collective movement of change," he affirmed.
Speaking at the event, AAP Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia emphasised that the campaign, titled 'Yudh Nashayian Virudh' (War Against Drugs), has gained significant momentum. "Thousands of children pledging to stay away from drugs will further strengthen Punjab’s mission to eliminate this menace," he stated.
He noted that not only are Punjab’s youth vowing never to engage in drug abuse, but they are also committing to safeguarding their families and communities from addiction. He further revealed that nearly 15,000 students took part in an awareness campaign in Ludhiana’s markets, directly engaging with people and urging them to join the movement by taking the drug-free oath.
With growing public involvement and government-backed initiatives, Punjab’s battle against drugs is evolving into a powerful collective effort aimed at safeguarding future generations and restoring the state’s social fabric.
Also Read: Punjab CM Mann urges public to join anti-drugs campaign
Follow us
