Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, along with Khanna SSP Dr. Darpan Ahluwalia, appealed to the people on Tuesday to unite in the fight against drugs until the menace is completely eradicated from Khanna. With joint cooperation from police and civil administration, a major plan has been prepared to make Meat Market free of the drugs, Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond stated a comprehensive plan has been prepared through close coordination between the civil and police administrations to bring positive change to families in the area.
He urged the residents of Meat Market to actively support the state government’s Yudh Nashya Virudh (War Against Drugs) campaign, which aims at the total elimination of drugs. He especially requested parents and relatives of drug users to overcome social stigma and come forward to get their loved ones treated at nearby civil hospitals and Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment centres.
The Minister and SSP personally interacted with local residents to build trust and stressed that carefully selected area those that have gained a negative reputation due to drug addiction and peddling will be prioritised in the first phase of the drive. Minister also encouraged women to form self-help groups and added that the Punjab government will provide them financial assistance so that they can become self-dependant.
He stated that the entire area will be cleaned and made green; children will be enrolled in schools. SSP Dr. Darpan Ahluwalia assured the residents of full police support and administered a public pledge in which people committed to mandatorily enrolling their children in schools so that the next generation remains protected from drugs.
She announced that women in the area will be linked to employment and complete treatment will be provided to drug addicts. During this event, Khanna SDM Swati Tiwana and others were also present.