The Punjab government is set to intensify its war against narcotics with the launch of the second phase of its statewide crusade. Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced that Phase II of the 'Yudh Nasheya Virudh' campaign will commence on January 5. The primary objective remains the complete eradication of the drug menace from the state.
Building on Phase I Success with CM's Directive
The decision to roll out the next phase follows the completion of the initial drive. Minister Sond revealed that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directly instructed the launch of Phase II to amplify efforts and work decisively towards making Punjab a drug-free state. The announcement was made during a state-level training program for the field staff of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department in Chandigarh.
Novel Strategy: Rehabilitated Youth to Lead Motivation
Elaborating on the plan for the second phase, Sond outlined a community-centric approach. A key feature will be the active involvement of rehabilitated youth who have successfully overcome addiction. These individuals will serve as motivational speakers, using their personal stories of recovery to inspire others to step forward for de-addiction treatment.
Furthermore, the government will initiate a comprehensive door-to-door awareness campaign across all villages and urban wards. This initiative will rely on the active participation of local residents to sensitize the masses about the devastating effects of drug abuse and to foster a sense of collective responsibility against this social evil.
Zero-Tolerance and Capacity Building
The minister reiterated the state's zero-tolerance policy against drug smugglers and peddlers. He highlighted that thousands of traffickers were arrested during Phase I and warned that those still involved in the illicit trade would face strict legal action in the upcoming phase.
Sond also emphasized the importance of the ongoing training program for field staff. The training focuses on capacity building, enhancing skills for strengthening panchayats, and improving revenue generation at the grassroots level, ensuring administrative machinery is robust enough to support the anti-drug mission.
