– Over 100 FIRs registered, 121 drug peddlers arrested, procedure to fortify properties worth Rs. 3.5 crore initiated
– DC and CP announce to adopt drug hotspots aiming to make them drug free localities on priority basis
– Model drug de-addiction centre and rehabilitation centre to come up in Jalandhar in next two months
– Says, massive increase witnessed in de-addiction program since the start of campaign after snapping of supply chain at grassroots
Jalandhar, April 2 :
The Punjab Government’s campaign against drugs, ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, has delivered significant results in Jalandhar over the past month. The Jalandhar Civil and Police Administration have successfully disrupted drug supply chains at the grassroot level, leading to major arrests and crackdowns.
Addressing a press conference, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal and Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur shared the campaign’s achievements in last one month. They revealed that the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police have registered 101 FIRs and arrested 121 drug peddlers in the past month, effectively dismantling street-level drug networks. To further curb drug supply, CASO (Cordon and Search Operations) are being conducted weekly in drug hotspots.
In a decisive move, three illegal constructions raised by drug peddlers on encroached government land were demolished in Jalandhar city. Additionally, the Police Department has submitted nine proposals to seize illegally occupied properties worth Rs. 3.51 crore belonging to drug traffickers.
The DC and CP further stated a significant increase in people seeking rehabilitation due to strict enforcement measures. The drug de-addiction centre at Civil Hospital has seen a 20 percent rise in OPD consultations and a 65 percent increase in admissions since the start of campaign. Similarly, the rehabilitation centre in Seikhe village has recorded a 40 percent increase in people taking admission for rehabilitation and willingness to quit drugs after this drive.
Sharing future planning to strengthen rehabilitation efforts, they mentioned that a model drug de-addiction centre and a model rehabilitation centre will be established in Jalandhar within the next two months. These centres will offer facilities like gymnasiums, skill development programs, counseling sessions, lectures by rehabilitated individuals, and job opportunities for recovered patients.
They also said that to curb the misuse of certain medicines as drugs, the administration has issued strict guidelines regulating the sale of three such medicines Pregabalin capsules, Gabapentin, and Anafortan injection. Medical stores have been directed not to sell them without a prescription and to maintain proper records. Under this initiative, the Health Department has suspended 32 medical store licenses and canceled two for violations. Simultaneously, six search and seizure operations have been launched to track illegal sales.
In another breakthrough, the administration has identified drug hotspots based on addict counseling. The DC and CP stated that the authorities now possess detailed intelligence on drug trafficking locations and individuals involved. They announced to adopt these hotspots with a view to transformed into model localities with improved infrastructure, parks, gyms, healthcare facilities, and better roads, while police will continue efforts to cut off drug supply networks. The Administration will make these drug hotspots a model for development and drug free afeas on a priority basis.
Additionally, a massive marathon will be organized this month to engage citizens in the anti-drug movement. The Police have also lainched ‘SAMPARK’ program as a part of citizen engagement initiative with as many as eight community participation programs held so far. They have also shared Punjab Government’s Safe Punjab helpline number 9779-100-200 for reporting drug peddlers while ensuring confidentiality. The drug de-addiction centre helpline 0181-2911960 is also available for those seeking assistance.
With sustained efforts and community participation, Jalandhar is making remarkable strides toward becoming a drug-free city. They solicited people’s participation in this mammoth exercise to make Jalandhar a drug free District.
