Punjab’s Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has laid down a two-pronged approach to the problem of drugs in the state.
Heavy Action on Drug Networks
Punjab Police has stepped up its crackdown against drug traffickers, dealers, and organized crime groups that are operating in the entire state. Following the government’s orders, police agencies are mainly working on:
- Discovering and breaking down the primary drug supply chains
- Executing raids based on intelligence
- Imposing severe legal punishments on habitual criminals
- Watching cross-border and interstate drug routes
Focus on Rehabilitation and De-Addiction
The Punjab government is according to the strong enforcement measures it carries out, besides that, it has been a concern to all the drug-dependent people to heal through the rehab process.
The de-addiction initiative has taken the following important steps:
- Improvement of state-operated de-addiction facilities
- Access to health care and psychotherapy
- Aid in getting accepted back into the community after having been treated
- Pushing relatives to get assistance without being afraid or experiencing stigma
Changing the Narrative Around Addiction
Changing the societal perspective concerning addiction is one of the principal factors of this dual approach. Mann, the Chief Minister of Punjab, has maintained that drug addicts need help and direction. The government has a plan to achieve the following goals by mixing harsh police measures and humane treatments:
– To cut down on drug use among the young
– To stop relapse by providing uninterrupted treatment
– To make recovering people feel respected and confident again
– To create a Punjab that is healthier and safer
A Long-Term Vision for a Drug-Free Punjab
The Punjab government’s strategy reflects a long-term vision rather than a short-term crackdown. The administration aims to cut off the addiction permanently through the dual approach of combating drug networks and investing in de-addiction at the same time. Punjab’s drug war will be hard on criminals and soft on recovering addicts. This two-pronged approach could serve as a prototype for overcoming similar problems in other states.
