DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh today shared major breakthroughs in the ongoing war against drugs under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's "Yudh Nashian Virudh" mission. Addressing the media in Patiala, Dr. Balbir Singh said that the campaign has entered a decisive phase, with both strong enforcement and a robust rehabilitation program yielding encouraging results across the state.

The Health Minister informed that over the past months, Punjab Police has seized 196 kg of heroin, 55 kg of charas and ganja, and a large quantity of illegal tablets, opium, bhukki, and synthetic drugs. The total value of drug money seized during various operations stands at around 6 crores. As per official data, 2,954 FIRs have been registered and 4,919 drug peddlers are arrested.

Dr. Balbir Singh said that community support has become the backbone of this movement. "Villagers and parents are now openly identifying drug peddlers in their areas. Fear has shifted?from common people to the drug suppliers," he said. He noted that many panchayats have passed resolutions declaring their villages 'drug-free', and parents are actively bringing their children to OOAT centers.

The Minister revealed that OOAT centers are witnessing record footfalls and addicts are themselves entering recovery and learning new skills. "People who once feared drug dealers and addicts are now standing united to rescue their children. This is a societal transformation," he said.

Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted the successful use of anti-drone technology to prevent drug trafficking from across the Pakistan border. "70% of drone activity has already been curtailed. Now, even when a drone drops a packet, no one picks it up. They fear action and exposure," he said.

The Minister stressed that the Mann government sees addicts not as criminals but as patients in need of care and compassion. "We are focusing on de-addiction, skill-building, and job training. We have opened multiple Skill Development Centres in Patiala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and other districts," he said.

He shared how indoor stadiums and football grounds in several districts are now seeing increased participation from youth who previously struggled with substance abuse. "Parents are accompanying their children to sports and rehabilitation programs. The environment is changing,"

he said.

Dr. Balbir Singh said that he would be taking up the matter of online pharmacies, e-cigrettes and vaping with the union minister. AAP leader said that they have decided to ban energy drinks in schools and youth is swearing an oath against drugs. The minister added that teachers from both private and government schools are actively

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(editor@dailyworld.in)