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Punjab declares drives against drugs by involving students

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Ludhiana: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh (pictured) on Wednesday announced special drives against the drug menace in the state by involving students, besides launching the second phase of a loan waiver scheme for farmers.


Speaking during Independence Day celebrations organised at the Guru Nanak Stadium here, the Chief Minister launched ‘Tu Mera Buddy’ programme to take the war against drugs to schools and colleges.


He called upon the people to take a pledge to wipe out the menace of drugs from the state to secure the healthy future of the coming generation.


Lauding the results of police’s Special Task Force to check drug abuse in the state, the chief minister said ‘Tu Mera Buddy’ would further take the campaign to the grassroots.


The buddy project will be led by class teachers and will be supervised by principals and district education officers.


The chief minister reiterated his government’s zero tolerance against drugs and warned that those involved in exploiting and ruining the youth would not be spared.


Nearly 20,000 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act, involving about 22,000 drug peddlers and distributors, while the state is working to ensure forfeiture of illegally acquired property of drug traders and to secure death penalty for them, said the chief minister.


Expressing satisfaction over the positive results of 118 Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) Clinics started in the state for regular treatment of addicts, the chief minister said another 80 such clinics would be set up by September.


He said 26,000 addicts have been treated so far in these clinics and the OPD footfall has been more than 5.3 lakh.


Unveiling the Bhai Ghanhya Sehat Sewa Scheme, the chief minister handed over cards to some of the beneficiaries of the scheme, aimed at providing cashless healthcare facilities and treatment to members of the cooperative societies and their families across the state. — IANS


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