In a sharp critique of the Punjab government's strategy, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has asserted that the state's escalating drug crisis cannot be resolved by concealing crucial data. Paramjit Kainth, the BJP leader, emphasized that a lack of transparency and flawed policies are major roadblocks in effectively combating the menace.
Flawed Approach: Criminals vs Patients
Kainth pinpointed a fundamental flaw in the current system, stating that drug addicts are being treated as criminals rather than patients. This punitive approach, he argued, discourages individuals and their families from seeking help due to fear of legal repercussions and social stigma. Instead of facilitating recovery, this method pushes the problem further underground, making it harder to address comprehensively.
Inadequate Infrastructure and High Relapse Rates
The leader highlighted severe shortcomings in the state's rehabilitation infrastructure. He pointed out that government-run de-addiction centres are limited in number and often lack the necessary resources, trained staff, and medical facilities to provide sustained care. Furthermore, Kainth criticized the weak follow-up mechanisms for individuals who have undergone treatment.
This absence of post-treatment support, including counselling, vocational training, and community reintegration programs, leads to alarmingly high relapse rates. Without a robust system to support recovered addicts, many fall back into the cycle of addiction, nullifying the efforts and resources spent on initial treatment.
The Call for Transparency and a Health-Centric Model
Paramjit Kainth's comments, made on 11 January 2026, underscore the need for a paradigm shift. The core of his argument is that an honest assessment, starting with the public release of accurate data on the spread and impact of drugs, is the first step toward a solution. He advocates for a health-centric model that views addiction as a disease requiring medical and psychological intervention, not just a law-and-order issue.
The BJP leader's statement brings the focus back to the need for policy that combines compassionate care with strong administrative will. It calls for expanding de-addiction infrastructure, strengthening aftercare programs, and fostering an environment where seeking help is encouraged, not punished.
