A day after offering job-kits to 25 reformed drug addicts, Deputy Commissioner B. Srinivasan today said that multipronged approach is the need of hour to fight against drugs. Besides medication, more job opportunities and games should be introduced at every level so that the youngsters’ attention can be distracted from drugs towards something constructive.He said that the district administration is aiming to achieve the target of keeping as many youth away from the drugs as possible. “To achieve this objective, we are organizing sports events across the district, roping in NGOs, school children, senior citizens, all the government officers and employees towards making our society drug free,” Srinivasan said.Senior officials of the administration also received a group of nearly 50-60 bicyclists at Rose Garden Chowk who had paddled through contours of the city early in the morning and visited 4-5 villages to urge public not to get hooked to any form of drugs.“With the help of masses we are appealing the youth to keep the drugs away from their lives and extending every possible help to those who are hooked to one form of drug or the other,” the Deputy Commissioner said while addressing the group of bicyclists later on.He appreciated the efforts of bicyclists in sensitizing people against drugs and urged them to make it a regular event.
“Creating awareness among masses by paddling through dusty bylanes is like killing two birds with one stone as this not only helps maintaining your health but others also,” the DC said. A group of senior citizens, NGOs and its volunteers also took part in a pledge organized at District Administrative Complex where they all vowed to fight against drugs with full might.Later interacting with a section of media he said that the officials of the Sports and Education Department have been directed to pull up their socks to remain in touch with the villagers and involve them in as many sports activities as possible. “Punjab Government is offering free sports kits including volley ball, football, shoes and are trying to fulfill other basic requirements so that people from all walks of life can be attracted towards sports,” Srinivasan further said.He pointed out that sports events like volleyball, basketball, football, tug-of-war and kabaddi are being organized in each village of the district.Teams of senior officers are visiting today on the occasion of International Day Against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in the villages of Behman Diwana, Nathana, Maur, Teona Pujarian, Kotla Kaura, Khialiwala, Phul, Aklia Kalan and Pakka Kalan village.