Open House: What should be done to free border state of drug menace?

Educate youth about alternatives

Drug addiction is a severe form of dependence. It occurs when a drug causes physiological changes in the body, such as the development of tolerance, which necessitates increasing the amount of the drug to achieve the same effect. Experts define drug dependence as a psychological and sometimes physical state characterised by a desire to take a drug primarily for its psychological effects rather than for medical purposes. Drug abuse often worsens or precipitates mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and psychosis, resulting in a vicious cycle of addiction that can lead to criminal behaviour ranging from drug trafficking and theft to violent crimes. Furthermore, the families of the drug victims are often torn apart by the emotional and financial strain of supporting a loved one who is battling addiction. Children of drug addicts may suffer neglect, abuse and emotional trauma, perpetuating the cycle of drug dependency across generations. Therefore, in order to achieve a drug-free state, a comprehensive approach is required. The youth of Punjab should be educated on the dangers of drug use and given healthy alternatives. These initiatives should focus on building resilience and preparing people to face life’s challenges without using drugs. This would be an excellent pursuit.

Novin Christopher

Committed to free punjab of drugs

WE are committed to free Punjab of the drug menace. Our government had been working hard and had already taken several initiatives to break the supply chain. We have also exhorted our newly-elected sarpanches to come forward and support us in the anti-drugs movement. With the active support of the public, we would leave no stone unturned to make Punjab a drug-free state.

Bhagwant Mann, Chief minister

Severe punishment for smugglers must

In this ever-changing environment of competition, man has found so many ways to mint money. On one hand, he starts to sell adulterated food, ration and other items while on the other, he is playing with the health of people just to earn money. He has forgotten ethics, values and has no fear of God. This business is very dangerous and a heinous business. This is the business of selling drugs particularly to youth and general to other public. Our youngsters are nation builders and all responsibility lies on their shoulders. The problem of drug addiction in Punjab is aggravating by the day. There is not a single village and city of in Punjab which is free from the drug menace. Irrespective of so many efforts of the government and different NGOs, this problem has not faded away from the society. In schools and colleges, so many young boys and girls are in the grip of drug addiction. There are so many drug de-addiction centers but all efforts go in vain. If this problem remains, then one day, it will pose a very serious threat to our youth. Some of the suggestions to get rid of the problem of drug addiction for the youth of Punjab are: 1) Parents should teach their children about the bad effects of intoxicants and other harmful drugs. 2) Some videos and other documentaries must be shown to the youth of villages and cities. 3) There must be special seminar and other conferences and programmes to educate the evils and problems of drug addiction. 4) Government should promote games and other recreational activities to involve youth in villages. 5) There must be one lecture daily at schools and colleges about the ill effects of drug addiction. 6) Government should create more and more job opportunities for youth to involve them and to earn. 7) There must be exemplary punishment for those who are involved in the business of drugs, as the state government approached the Centre for permission of death penalty for those who are treating it as a business and spoiling the lives of the young generation of Punjab. 8) Each one should come forward and educate youngsters in their contact and should do for the society to save our youth from the problem of drug addiction. 9) Various programmes on TV and radio should be broadcasted repeatedly particularly for young generation. 10) Those who are working to eradicate the problem of drug addiction must be awarded at village, district and state level. These suggestions are the best way to involve youth in some games and productive tasks and there must be death penalty for those who are doing this as a business.

Dr mohd saleem farooqui

focus on preventing physical, moral loss Drug abuse in Punjab has become a raging epidemic, especially among the youth. With most of the drug users being in the productive age of 18-35 years. The loss in terms of damage to physical, psychological, moral, and intellectual growth of the youth is very high. But India needs its youth to contribute towards nation-building. To get rid of this menace, the focus must be to reduce demand of drugs and cut off their supplies by imposing harsh penalties under the NDPS Act and improving drug enforcement. The municipal councillors, sarpanches and politicians must work in tandem. The parents, teachers and community leaders have a big role to play by way of counselling. Holistic treatment centres should be set-up. The government needs to create skill training programmes to generate employment, encourage sports and other activities. The government should be strict to enforce the existing laws and hang a few drug dealers which would deter others not to deal with such menace and rehabilitate a few cases for all others to aspire to get out of such menace of drugs. The supply lines need to be choked. Anti-drug awareness programmes should be organised under “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” of the government. Society needs to understand that drug addicts are victims and not criminals and therefore be treated with love and sympathy. The judiciary too can play a vital role by expediting drug cases and punish the guilty in a stringent manner.

RS Sembhi

Create better job opportunities

It is very sorrowful that the land of Punjab, which once flowed with Amrit, is now drowning in drugs. Eliminating this issue is very difficult, but with everyone’s cooperation, it can definitely be made successful. Several steps could be taken. Public awareness campaigns should be arranged regularly which should target the youth about drug abuse and its consequences. Creating job opportunities and skill development programmes could also reduce the drug abuse among the youth as unemployment is also a big reason of drug abuse. Parents should also be friendly with their children so that that children could easily talk to their parents about these issues and seek help from them for resolving. Ultimately making Punjab drug free requires collaboration from everyone.

Japleen kaur

Need for special education programme

In spite of the AAP government in the Punjab, its leaders feel and express that drug menace is prevalent in the state. It must be controlled by using all means. First, the drug here is imported by some local people who may or may not be known to the local police. There is a strong need to stop this practice of importing drugs by such persons. The culprits must be identified and punished very heavily. They also need be educated to be loyal to the country men in stopping the effects of drug consumption on their health. Secondly, the users must be educated on the ill effects of the drugs on their health so that they do not buy and consume them. A special education programme must be started in the state to stop the sale of drugs by such persons and their use by the consumers on their health. Both the importers and consumers are ignorant on the ill effects of the consumption of drugs on the health of the consumers. The local police must be more effective and vigilant to catch both the sellers and consumers. Both the importers and consumers have a free hand in making the drugs available in the state and it must be curbed. These steps will help in lowering the availability of drugs.

RS Sembhi