Exhorting the families of drug addicts to come forward for helping them to shun the drugs, the Punjab Government is committed to offering a positive environment to the drug addicts for their treatment and rehabilitation.Punjab Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu and Member of Parliament (MP) Ravneet Singh Bittu held a meeting with the Civil and police officials to review the efforts taken to the control the drug menace.They said the encouraging trend has been witnessed the drug addicts have been approaching drug de-addiction centres for the treatment for which the state government and district administration is leaving no stone unturned in making the arrangements for them.In a major decision taken into the meeting that now all municipal councillors will be trained as Drug Abuse Prevention Officer (DAPO) volunteers and to deal the vacant posts of psychiatrists, the administration will approach Indian Medical Association (IMA) to motivate its members to work for national interest voluntarily.Further, it was decided that sometimes, the families of the drug addicts have not money for the treatment for which help would be taken from NGOs.
Likewise, the police department was asked to identify the drug affected villages where the stupendous efforts will be made to motivate the villagers to give their support in making Punjab a drug free state.A list of drug addicts would be prepared so that direct communication can be done with them.Both Cabinet Minister and MP clearly said that none of the elected representatives will recommend those indulge in drug business and ordered the police department to take action against them accordingly Moreover, they told the police that if a person arrested in drug cases and get bail repeatedly, action must be taken under special act to deal such persons.The health department was told to hold a meeting with the representatives of 22 private de-addiction centres to inform them about the guidelines issued by Punjab government.Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal and Police Commissioner Dr. Sukhchain Singh Gill said that civil and police administration will continue to intensify its fight against drug abuse.MLAs Surinder Kumar Dawar, Sanjay Talwar and all officials from civil and police department were present.