On the occasion of International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, a 5-km marathon was organised by District Administration Ludhiana at Punjab Agricultural University. More than 1000 persons from all age groups and walks of life participated in this marathon.
Later, a cultural function was also organised in Pal Auditorium, PAU, Ludhiana in which items such as solo song, group song, choreography, gidha and a play were presented by students.
The marathon was flagged off by MLA Rarjinderpal Kaur Chhina, Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik and Commissioner of Police Dr Kaustubh Sharma in the presence of senior officials including ADCs Rahul Chaba and Amarjit Bains and several others.
A large number of Ludhiana residents participated in the marathon that was organised to promote healthy living.A cultural function in this regard was organised at Pal Auditorium in PAU, where a transformed drug addict and an expert from DMCH Ludhiana interacted with the audience and shared their views.
The students from Ishmeet Singh Music Institute under the leadership of Dr Charan Kanwal Singh presented a cultural function. Students from government schools presented Gidha and a play to educate the masses against drug addiction was also presented on the occasion.
While speaking on the occasion, Surabhi Malik said that with the collective efforts of each and every single individual the menace of drugs could be eradicated from our society. She said that as many as 37 new Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centers have been set up recently in Ludhiana to further give impetus to the anti-drug drive in the district.
Divulging the details, the DC said that after inception of these new clinics, the total strength of OOAT centers have risen to 54 in Ludhiana which would go a long way to eliminate drug menace from the society.
She said that new centers have started functioning at PHCs Rampur, Katani Kalan, Kalakh, Mehdudan, Talwandi Kalan, Swadi Kalan, Mohi, Mullanpur, Bhanohar, Ladowal, Chowkiman, Manuke, Kaunke Kalan, UCHCs Vardhman, CS Complex, Shimlapuri, Ghwaddi, Mandiala Kalan,Giaspura, Jawaddi, UPHCs Jagraon, Khnna, Lady Hospital, Abdullapur Basti, Dholewal, Bhagwan Nagar, Dugri, Janta Nagar, Model Town, Muradpura, Pratap Nagar, Sabzi Mandi, Salem Tabri, Shivpuri, and Sanet.
The DC further added that these clinics have immensely reinforced the earlier existing infrastructure of a total of 17 OOAT centers which have been working at Civil Hospital Ludhiana, SDH Jagraon, Samrala, Khanna, Raikot, CHC Sudhar, Hathur, Sidhwan Bet, Machhiwara, Malaud, Manupur, Koom Kalan, Dehlon, Sahnewal, Pakhowal, Payal, and Central Jail Ludhiana.
Urging people to join hands with the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led state government in its endeavor to combat drug menace, she said that these centers are catering to the needs of maximum drug-dependents.
Since any campaign can never be successful without people's participation, thus we should all contribute in this war against drug-abuse so that our future generations can be saved from the ill-effects of drugs, she said.
The deputy commissioner also reiterated the district administration's commitment to leaving no stone unturned to assist people affected with drugs so that they can be reconnected with the mainstream.She said that a slew of initiatives had already been launched in Ludhiana district to create awareness among people against drug menace besides assisting affected persons in earnest.
She said that anyone needing help to get over this abuse can freely contact the district administration or our healthcare establishments where best of the facilities including consultation and treatment were being provided to visitors.