In a decisive move to combat the growing menace of drug abuse, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday convened a high-level meeting with Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to roll out a comprehensive strategy aimed at drug prevention and rehabilitation.
A multi-pronged approach to tackle drug addiction was agreed upon, with officials directed to work in coordination to curb the drug trade. The police have been tasked with identifying drug hotspots, dismantling supply chains, and taking stringent action against traffickers.
In a firm directive, it was reiterated that properties belonging to drug traffickers would be confiscated and destroyed.
Addressing the officials, CM Mann called for the fight against drug addiction to be transformed into a mass movement. He is expected to deliberate further on the newly drafted drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation policy with district officers, seeking its swift and effective implementation to rid Punjab of the scourge.
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This meeting followed the formation of a five-member Cabinet subcommittee, announced a day earlier, to intensify the government’s efforts against the escalating drug crisis.
The committee, chaired by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, has been tasked with monitoring and coordinating the actions of the police and health departments.
The other members of the panel include Ministers Aman Arora, Dr Balbir Singh, Laljit Singh Bhullar, and Taranpreet Singh Sond.
The state government’s renewed push to tackle drug-related issues comes in the wake of public criticism, particularly from women voters, over its perceived failure to curb the crisis during last year’s Lok Sabha elections.
Senior police officers, including the Director General of Police (DGP), along with officials from the Jails, Sports, Employment & Skill Development, Health, and Home Affairs departments, also attended the meeting.
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