As a legal services initiative, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar launched campaign ‘Punjab Against Drug Addiction’ as per directions of Mr Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman, Punjab State Legal Services Authority. To start this campaign in the State, a walkathon was organized by Punjab State Legal Services Authority and District Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar which was flagged off by Harpal Singh, District & Sessions Judge, SAS Nagar and Manjinder Singh, Member Secretary, Punjab State Legal Services Authority.
The walkathon, in which Judicial officers, Police Officers, Officers of District Administration, Health and Education Departments, students of Army Law College and people from different walks of life participated, was started from the Head Office of State Legal Services Authority, Sector-69 and culminated at Rehabilitation Centre, Sector - 66, Mohali. The route of walkathon was itself a guiding factor that Legal Services Authorities are willing to provide legal services for rehabilitation of the drug abuse and addict.
This campaign shall be carried out from 01.10.2023 to 31.10.2023 to reach the nook and corner of every village/town which is affected by drug addiction. The object of the campaign is to raise awareness about legal rights and provisions related to drug abuse and de-addiction and further to promote community involvement and education of drug abuse prevention in collaboration with government agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders.
During the monthlong campaign, rallies, walkathons, workshops and seminars in collaboration with Police, Health and Education departments shall be organized. Competition like declamation, debates, poster making, chart making shall be held in the Schools and colleges to create awareness amongst the students as to drug abuse. Besides, Nukkar Nataks shall be performed to educate the individuals regarding ill effects and consequences of use of drug. The individuals struggling with drug abuse shall be arranged counseling session and free legal aid shall be provided to them.
In their address, Manjinder Singh, Member Secretary, PSLSA and Harpal Singh, District & Sessions Judge encouraged the patients/drug addicts admitted in Rehabilitation Centre, SAS Nagar to get rid of the menace with the medical treatment and strong will power. On this occasion, students also took pledge not to use of any kind of drug in their life.
Smriti Dhir, Additional Member Secretary, PSLSA, Baljinder Singh, Secretary, DLSA, SAS Nagar, Anish Goyal, CJM, Mohali, Jagjit Singh, JMIC, M.K. Singla, JMIC, Harsimran Singh Bal, DSP (City-1), Mohali, Dr. Pooja Garg, Psychiatrist, SI Amandeep Singh, Kulwant Singh Chairman, CWC and students of Army Law College also participated in the walkathon.