Q\ How are you tackling the drug menace in the state?
A\ A three-pronged strategy is in place—enforcement, de-addiction and prevention. The action plan—Comprehensive Action against Drug Abuse (CADA)—is aimed at choking the supply through enforcement, and reducing demand through de-addiction and prevention. CADA integrates the work of various departments, including those of police, health and education. For implementing CADA effectively, the STF designed the Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) [for de-addiction], Buddy [to prevent drug abuse among students] and Drug Abuse Prevention Officers programmes.
Q\ What is the amount of drug seizures? How many people have been booked under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act?
A\ In 2020, 759kg of heroin was seized—which is the largest ever for any single year in Punjab to date. Between April 1, 2017, and January 25, 2022, 51,294 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act, and 66,859 persons have been arrested. As much as 2,406kg of heroin has been seized during this period. Over 540 “big fish” were arrested, where 2kg and above heroin was recovered. In 2021 alone, Rs5.63 crore was recovered as drug proceeds from traffickers. The conviction rate in NDPS Act cases has increased from 59 per cent in 2018 to 79 per cent in 2021.
Q\ What steps are being taken to break the nexus between drug mafia, police, politicians and cross-border elements?
A\ As part of zero tolerance, legal action is being taken against those found involved in aiding and abetting drug trafficking in any manner. The biggest example is the dismissal of 105 police personnel from service for their involvement in drug-related offences from January 1, 2017, to December 14, 2021.
Q\ Is there a need for a new law in Punjab to overcome the drug problem?
A\ The STF has prepared a draft Comprehensive Action Against Drug Abuse Bill, 2022, which is under active consideration of the state government. This new law aims to contain substance-abuse disorders through effective design and implementation of CADA. The Act aims to implement a system of prevention, early detection and timely treatment of substance use with effective follow-up programmes.