Punjab needs to have a statutory ANTI NARCOTICS COMMISSION

Punjab falls on one the main routes of drug smuggling from Afghanistan, into Pakistan and then in to India on way to Delhi and other destinations, including those abroad. There are big time drug lords and smugglers, most of whom are said to have �protection�. During the days of terrorism, the earlier trend of gold smuggling gave way to the smuggling of narcotics because of higher margins. This was the phase of narco terrorism. During this phase narcotics were mainly passing through Punjab, with hardly any consumption there of, in Punjab, where opium and poppy husk remained favourite amongst u sers. The money generated by smuggling was used by the militants for the purchase of arms and ammunition. Now on account of the changed scenario, narcotics smugglers are not only �routing� but also selling drugs in Punjab to make a quick buck. These drug smugglers, with the help of couriers and peddlers, have succeeded to a shocking extent in dragging our youth into drug addiction and a very large percentage of youth are consuming various narcotics and psychotropic drugs as also poppy husk and opium, which freely comes in from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Punjab is heavily into drug addiction. According to a report on the net, about 70% of our youth are into drug addiction and about 66% of school going children have also used drugs at one point of time or the other. Though several socalled drug de-addiction centres are said to be running in Punjab, but the truly scientific ones are only running in the Kapurthala and Bhatinda civil hospitals. Methadone treatment programme is going on here with the help of UNODC ( United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ). The UNODC, had opened these centres after a detailed nation wide study. In all seven centres were opened all over the country and two of them are in Punjab. This speaks volumes about the shocking state of affairs in Punjab. Another scientific, but a make shift, de-addiction centre is going on in the Kapurthala jail where Buprenorphine is being used. This make shift centre has de-addicted about 200 inmates but still it has about 300 addict inmates who are receiving the treatment. But the ultimate question is how many of them will remain de-addicted, because the drugs remain freely available in the open society where they have to go back ultimately. Addiction starts in the open society and the possibility of relapse is vey high. Some other de- addiction centres are also being run by the Health Department of the Punjab government and NACO, but their field is primarily limited to the anti AIDS and HIV+ front.
Now, the remedy. A very serious crackdown is required on the drug smugglers and the chain of supply needs to be totally broken and crushed ruthlessly. Then comes the de-addiction programme. The de addiction programmes, where ever they are running, are failing because of the (a) absence of dedicated de-addiction centres in all the districts of Punjab as such and (b) absence of counselors and psychiatrists to give further backup support, which can lead to total de-addiction. De-addiction is a time consuming and tedious affair. Taking an over all view, this menace can be controlled only with the help of a multi pronged strategy, with the help of the Police, Health, Social Welfare and the Sports departments. There has to be proper co-ordination amongst all these departments. The Police needs to launch an over all offensive against the drug smugglers and peddlers. It will include proper follow up of the cases and ensuring their conviction and attachment of their properties. They are, however, unable to orient themselves because of their heavy charter of duties which includes maintaining law and order, prevention and detection of crime, security duties etc, to name a few. The Health department has also not succeeded because of the absence of a comprehensive policy with regard to de-addiction and the same is true about the Social Welfare and the Department of Sports and Youth affairs.
Punjab needs to have a statutory ANTI NARCOTICS COMMISSION, to be headed by some truly competent and dedicated individual who has a good exposure to all these issues. This commission should include the D.G.P. and Principal Secretaries of the concerned departments including Health, Social Welfare and Sports and Youth Affairs, as ex officio co-chairpersons. The I.G.P. or the D.I.G. looking after the work related to narcotics and C.I. wing of the Punjab Police ( Intelligence Wing ) may be made the Member Secretary of this Commission. This Commission should have a very limited sway over the S.S.Ps., Civil Surgeons and district level officials of the Social Welfare and Department of Sports and Youth affairs. This very limited role, however, should remain confined to monitoring anti drug operations ( Police department ), monitoring de-addiction programmes in all the districts with the help of NACO and possibly the UNODC ( Health department ), ensuring counseling and moral support to the drug addicts ( Social Welfare Department ) and promoting sports and organizing games amongst youth, particularly drug addicts and former addicts ( Department of Sports and Youth Affairs ). The experiment of the Punjab Jail Department in promoting sports activities amongst drug addicts was an enormous success. Their teams primarily consist of these former drug addicts, who have been doing far better than others. Their enthusiasm is some thing to be seen and admired. The Hon�ble Judges of the Hon�ble Punjab and Haryana High Court, who presided over the closing ceremony of the first ever, Punjab Jail Olympics, held in Patiala prison house, some time back, expressed their appreciation over the performance of the prisoners, particularly former addicts. Lastly, the Chairperson and the members of this required Anti Narcotics Commission should be given adequate official status, good official set up consisting of dedicated individuals as also good security. The experience has shown that whosoever raises a voice against the drug smugglers, does it at his own and his family�s security risk. Hence the need for the security so that they could do their work whole heartedly and sincerely. Lastly is would be in the fitness of things if this commission, if it comes up, should report only to the committee set up by The Hon�ble Punjab and Haryana High Court. Some Hon�ble Justices of the Hon�ble High Court have done and are doing iconic work and have set up mile stones through their decisions. These decisions shall be the guidelines for the proposed commission. The Chief Minister of Punjab as also the Deputy Chief Minister have already sounded the bugle against the drugs and if any such commission sees the light of the day, it can do wonders in this field and accomplish their vision.

Punjab needs to have a statutory ANTI NARCOTICS COMMISSION

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