Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh on Tuesday held a key meeting with Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar to review the implementation of the ‘National Coordination Centre for Drug Law Enforcement’ framework and strengthen measures to prevent drug abuse in the district.
Senior officials from the police and civil administration attended the meeting, during which detailed discussions were held on curbing drug trafficking, creating public awareness and ensuring community participation in the fight against drugs.
Focus on awareness and education
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner directed the departments concerned to further intensify the ongoing anti-drug awareness campaign to educate people about the harmful consequences of drug abuse. He emphasised that individuals struggling with addiction must be identified and guided towards de-addiction and rehabilitation centres offering free treatment and counselling services.
“The fight against drugs is not the responsibility of the government alone but requires collective efforts from all sections of society. We will focus on awareness and education campaigns to engage youth against substance abuse. The district administration is fully committed to taking strict action against drug traffickers and ensuring the rehabilitation of individuals affected by drug addiction,” said the DC.
Action in educational institutions
Officials of the Education Department have been directed to conduct regular awareness activities in schools about the harmful effects of drugs and to sensitise students during daily morning assemblies on the importance of staying away from substance abuse. He further emphasised the need to mobilise youth in colleges and universities and to ensure stricter checks on the sale of narcotic substances in and around educational institutions.
Crackdown on illegal pharmacies
The Deputy Commissioner also instructed the Drug Inspector of the Health Department to intensify inspections of chemist shops across the district and to take strict legal action against those found selling narcotic or prohibited medicines illegally. The Health Department has so far cancelled the licences of 15 chemist shops in the district for violations related to the sale of prohibited drugs.
Police campaign against trafficking
Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that the police are continuously taking action against drug traffickers under the Punjab Government’s ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign.
