Punjab’s Battle Against Drug Menace Intensifies

Punjab is grappling with a severe drug crisis, with the state police registering 4,373 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arresting 6,002 individuals in the first six months of 2024. Over the past three years, authorities have registered 29,010 NDPS cases, arrested 39,832 people, and seized 2,710 kg of heroin.

In a bold move to tackle the escalating drug problem, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ordered the transfer of 10,000 police personnel. Mann cited reports of collusion between some police officials and drug peddlers as the reason behind this unprecedented decision. He emphasized that complaints against corrupt officers had been ignored for years, necessitating a comprehensive shake-up.

However, this mass-scale transfer faced criticism from within the police force. An anonymous official expressed concerns, stating, “Not everyone should be seen with the same eye. First, tainted personnel should be identified before ordering the transfers. Not all are corrupt. Merely transferring the personnel will not solve the reigning drug menace in the state.”

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Rising Death Toll and Drug Operations

The gravity of the situation is underscored by the recent deaths of 14 youths in just two weeks across Gurdaspur, Abohar, Moga, Amritsar, and Ferozepur districts. Over the past three years, 280 drug addicts have died, with drug overdose claiming 159 lives in 2022-23, 71 in 2021-22, and 36 in 2020-21, according to an affidavit submitted by the Punjab police to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

In response, the Punjab Police launched a massive state-level cordon and search operation (CASO) named ‘EAGLE-IV,’ targeting identified drug hotspots. Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla outlined a three-pronged strategy—Enforcement, De-addiction, and Prevention (EDP)—to combat the drug menace. The police are focusing on tracing the forward and backward linkages of all NDPS cases and taking strict action against those found in collusion with drug smugglers.

Border Vigilance and Property Forfeiture

To disrupt drug smuggling networks, particularly those operating from across the border, strict surveillance is being maintained on drone movements. Since September 2019, 906 drone sightings have been reported in border districts, with 187 drones successfully recovered.

The Punjab Police have also taken significant steps to financially cripple drug smugglers by forfeiting 459 properties worth Rs 200 crores. Additionally, 559 more proposals to freeze properties worth Rs 246 crores are pending approval.

Community and Rehabilitation Efforts

In observance of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, the Akal Drug De-Addiction Centre announced the opening of its third center in Chunni Kalan, Punjab. The new 50-bed facility will also include a research center. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address drug addiction through rehabilitation and support.

Mukhtiar Singh, a government worker who lost his son to a drug overdose, has been vocal about the need for urgent action. He highlighted the ease of drug availability and the profound impact on Punjab’s youth. Singh’s story reflects the personal tragedies faced by many families in the state.

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The Path Forward

Punjab’s proximity to Afghanistan and Pakistan, major drug smuggling routes, exacerbates the problem. The state’s youth are particularly vulnerable due to economic stagnation and high unemployment. The scars of past militancy also contribute to the current crisis.

Health and Family Planning Minister Dr. Balbir Singh emphasized the need for reformative measures rather than punitive actions against addicts. He revealed alarming statistics: nearly one million drug addicts are in state-operated and privately-run de-addiction centers, with a cure rate of just 1.5% in government centers and 0.04% in private centers.

As Punjab intensifies its fight against the drug menace, the government is planning to establish mohalla (neighborhood) and village-level committees to reintegrate addicts into society. With 528 outpatient opioid-assisted treatment (OOAT) centers, 36 government-run de-addiction centers, and 185 private centers, the state is committed to combating the crisis through comprehensive strategies.