The Punjab Governor and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Shri V.P. Singh Badnore has given a clarion call to the State Universities, Colleges and other Educational Institutions, NGOs, Voluntary Organisations and parents to work on one common platform strengthening the hands of the Punjab Government towards ensuring a "Drug Free" and "Tandurst" Punjab On the eve of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Traficking being widely observed, the Governor said that eradication of drugs has been taken up as a mission under the Drug Free India campaign, which was reportedly the largest of its kind, where nearly 30,000 students took a pledge to stay away from drugs with the slogan, “Drugs na karunga na karne dunga”. He said that he had presided over seminars against Drugs in various districts of Punjab where local Police Administraiton along with the students of Universities and colleges expressed their desire to assist the government in generating awareness amongst the youth against drugs and illicit drug trafficking.The Governor also called upon the political parties irrespective of their party affiliations, to come jointly on a common platform and effectively take up the task to wipe out drugs from our society. ”Each and every person has a responsibility to shoulder", he said.He said he would himself visit every; nook and corner of the State to undertake this task. "We need support of every section of the society to save our younger generation from this deadly menace", he added. "The narcotics trade is a big threat to the safety and security of a nation", the Governor added.
Appreciating the committed efforts of the State Government to check the issue of Drugs and its illegal trafficking by setting up of the Special Task Force, Mr. Badnore said that the concerned departments have been directed to monitor, coordinate and implement the drug de-addction and rehabilitation programme in a mission mode. The detoxification and rehabilitation of the drug addicts so as to enable them to lead a normal life with dignity have got to be ensured in the state. He, however, underlined the need for implementing a post rehabilitation phase for the victims of drug addiction, with utmost care and caution.To facilitate productive employment to the youngsters choosing the right way, the technical education, industrial training and skill development should be imparted to them, he added. As Chancellor of the Universities in Punjab, Mr. Badnore also appealed to the Universities and Colleges to spread the message of drug abuse and take effective steps to prevent drug abuse.Referring to the Union Government's initiative in this direction, Mr. Badnore said that, the Union Government has already launched a crackdown on narcotics trade across the country. Sending a loud and clear message, the government has formulated a concerted and cohesive action plan to break the deep-rooted drug trafficking network dealing this problem with an iron hand, said Mr. Badnore.