Drugs eradication a far cry in Punjab

The 100-day deadline set by Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh for a drug-free Punjab triggered to a sizable crackdown on drug paddlers in the state even as the problem still persists on the ground today.

None other than an MLA of the Congress publicly said this a couple of days ago maintaining that the ‘white power’ drug (Chitta) was freely available on the streets of Punjab even today. That he eventually found refuge by blaming the media for twisting his comments after being hauled up by the CM is a different story altogether.

In the first four months of Capt’s rule, on an average, nearly 50 persons were arrested each day- a whopping in excess of 5575 persons till the last count since mid-March this year. Over 4820 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act during this period.

These are phenomenal numbers in this short span. The performance on the drug front under Capt in the first four months far outweighs the last 12-months of the SAD-BJP rule. But not many outside the Congress are willing to vouch for Capt’s claims in totality.

Eradication of the drug menace is a far cry, at least for now. The ‘big fish’ still eludes the special task force that is dedicated to weed out drugs. Since mid-March, seizures of high priced heroin have been over 71 kg. Punjab DGP Suresh Arora maintains the drug supply lines have been broken and the ‘big fish’ have run away from Punjab.

Experts opine that the assumption of a drug-free Punjab in this short span of time is as unrealistic as Capt’s 100-days pledge to free Punjab of the menace. It's work-in-progress. There are reports that the crackdown by the STF has led to an increase in the price of Chitta drug. Those hooked to drugs will find ways to lay their hands on it any which way.

But Capt has manifested the resolve to weed out drugs from Punjab and has also delivered to a large extent. The government now is in the process of introducing a ‘my buddy’ programme to encourage community participation in fighting drugs. This volunteer grouping scheme for schools and colleges will focus on rehabilitation, enforcement and prevention.