Health Minister chairs meeting, calls for cooperation in ‘war against drugs’

Punjab Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Balbir Singh, in a meeting with officials of the district administration and MLAs from the area, at the local District Administrative Complex on Sunday, called upon all sections of society to extend their cooperation to the drive against drugs launched by the state government.

The meeting was attended by Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal, MLA from Tarn Taran, Manjinder Singh Lalpura, MLA from Khadoor Sahib, Abhimanyu Rana, Senior Superintendent of Police, Karanvir Singh, Assistant Commissioner, Dr Gurpreet Singh Rai, Civil Surgeon, besides other officials of the department.

Dr Balbir Singh said that the aim of the drive against drugs under ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign is the total end of the addiction menace which is not possible without the assistance of society. He said that the state government has adopted zero tolerance for drugs. The minister said that the state government had made all arrangements for the treatment of addicts and the bed capacity in government-run de-addiction and rehabilitation centres has been doubled. The aim is to make the addicts self sufficient so that they can manage their own affairs. The minister said that the addicts would be given training so that they can find work after their treatment.

The minister said the state government had imposed a ban on energy drinks from the market and the violator must be dealt with sternly. In case anybody is seen selling energy drinks near educational institutions, strict action would be taken, he warned.

Amritsar