PUNJAB TAKES GIANT STRIDES TO CONTROL DRUG MENACE – MUSTAFA

SAS Nagar Jan. 15 (Punjab Post Bureau) –  The Punjab Govt., after constituting Special Task Force, has adopted the Enforcement-Deaddiction-Prevention (EDP) strategy as part of its Comprehensive Action against Drug Abuse.

            Addressing the media persons here today DGP Special Task Force, Mohd. Mustafa said multi-layered monitoring and implementing mechanism has been put in place – Cabinet Sub-Committee on drugs headed by Hon’ble Chief Minister, Apex Committee headed by Chief Secretary and Special Group on Drugs headed by ACS (Home). The entire CADA program is being monitored by CPS CM through a Secretary-rank Nodal Officer. District Mission Teams and Sub-Division Mission Teams are implementing the CADA Program on ground.

            On the Enforcement front, STF has implemented path-breaking initiatives:

• Rationalization and Restructuring of STF.
• Anti-Narcotics Cells constituted in all 27 Commissionerates/Districts.
• Monthly monitoring of the enforcement is being ensured through a comprehensive proforma.
• Arrest of POs and their property attachment; cases to be registered u/s 174-A IPC.
•  Arrest of Absconders/Bail Jumpers/Parole Jumpers; cases to be registered u/s 229-A IPC.
• Filing of chargesheets in all cases where FSL reports have been received.
• Review of default bail cases and filing application for cancellation of bails.
• Use of section 36-A (4) of NDPS Act to extend time period for investigation.
• Analysis of acquitted cases and filing appeals where deemed fit.
• Implementation of PIT NDPS Act, 1988.
• Forfeiture of property under Chapter-V A of NDPS Act.
• Close monitoring of Drug Related Death cases.
•  Pre-trial and post-trial disposal of seized drugs.
• Effective verification of 181 drug tips.
• Training courses for IOs.
• Coordination with Jail Department for keeping a close watch over incarcerated drug traffickers.
• Coordination with UNODC, NCB, BSF, Delhi Police, Customs, IB, DRI and neighbouring states.

                       On the Deaddiction front, the outpatient treatment being rendered at Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) Clinics has been a great success. A total of 168 OOAT clinics are functional and more than 63,000 addicts are being treated out of which about 25,000 are heroin addicts. The Retention Rate is 91.71% . Approximately 3 lakh addicts have been treated in both Govt. and Private Deaddiction/Rehabilitation Centres during 2018.

                        On the Prevention front, the Buddy and DAPO Programs have been implemented throughout the state with active cooperation and coordination among all departments of the State Govt. Under the DAPO Program, approximately 5 lakh DAPOs have been registered, 1500 Cluster Coordinators and 15,000 Nasha Roku Nigran Committees are being trained through 523 Master Trainers. Training of DAPOs by NRNCs is underway. More than 15,000 seminars/meetings/rallies/awareness programs have been conducted so far. Under the Buddy Program, 329 Master Trainers are training approx. 3 lakh school teachers/college lecturers who will impart skills to approximately 40 lakh school/college/university students in the state. 27 lakhs students have already been covered.   

            A separate Drug Division is being set up in the Department of Health for efficient drug administration and better monitoring of deaddiction/OOAT centres. A comprehensive media plan for generating awareness against drug abuse is being rolled out.

            The Govt. of Punjab has achieved significant successes in tackling the menace of drugs and the efforts will continue in the coming days.

            Among others Special Principal Secretary–cum-ADGP, Chief Minister Harpreet Singh Sidhu, IG Special Task Force B. Chandra Shekhar, IG Parmod Ban, IG RK Jaiswal, IG Balkar Singh Sidhu were also present on the occasion