Survey identifies 2.3 lakh opioid dependent in Punjab
By Satinder Bains/Punjab News Express
CHANDIGARH: Punjab has become a drug capital and safe heaven for drugs dealers under the ten years rule of SAD-BJP government headed by Parkash Singh Badal. A survey conducted by Union Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment has made shocking revealations on number of drug addicts in Punjab and lack of support to de-addict the vast population of addicts.
Though SAD is mainly responsible for drug menace in Punjab, BJP is equally partner in the crime for extending silent support to its alliance partner. The drug mafia flourished in Punjab due to nexus between Political and police eastablishment and drug smugglers across the borders. The names of various SAD ministers, mainly Bikram Singh Majithia related to ruling Badal family had figured in the drug racket.
According to report released yesterday, 2.3 lakh opioid dependents have been identified in survey conducted in districts of Bathinda, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur and Tarn Taran in Punjab. Actual number of drug addicts might by much higher than the figures shown in the survey. The gravity of drug problem in Punab could be gauzed from the national survey conducted in 2001 which had shown 5 lakh people are opioid dependent in whole country.
What is more shocking is the number of youth falling prey to drug menace. The survey said that among the drug dependents, 76 percent are between the age group fo 18 to 35 years. The vast majority, about 89 percent, of the drug addicts are literate and holding some degree. About 56 percent of opioid dependents are from rural areas. The mother tongue of 99 percent of drug addicts is Punjabi, the survey said. It belies the claims of Badal family that false propaganda is being made by opposition parties to defame Punjab.
The most common drug used by 53 percent of addicts is heroin followed by opium, doda and Bhuki. The survey has not revealed the number of dependents on synthetic drugs, it however said that the rest of 14 pewrcent addicts use variety of pharmaceutical opioid. About one third of them take their opioid drugs through injections and among them almost inject heroin.
The huge gap in availability of treatment for drug addicts has made the things worse for the youth. The survey said that 80 percent of opioid dependent wanted to give up the drugs but they have no source of treatment. Whilke 35 perent of them received some sort of treatment but only few received effective treatment. Under the focused treatment strategy of te state government only 9 percent of addicts got admission in the de-addiction centers. It is recalled that Punjab Police had arrested about 20, 000 drug addicts and put them into jails on the pretex of arresting drug peddlers.
The survey said that if the focus of treatment remained only drug-addicted centers it would take atleast ten years to give single oioid treatment to all the addicts. The surve said that drug addiction is not centered to any area but spread across the state.
SAD-BJP government is contesting a case in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in bunch of petitions seeking CBI probe into synthetic drug racket in Punjab. Punjab Government led by Parkash Siungh Badal is also contesting in Supreme Court against the High Court decisiosn to rremove liquor vends from national Highway. Badal is shamelessely defending Majithia and other Akali leaders who are facing drug related cases. The enforcement Directorate had summoned Majithia and Swaran Singh Phillaur former jail minister in drug related case of hawala transanctions.
Jagdish Bhola a former cop and drug lord arrested by Punjab Police had named Majithia as kingpin of drug trade in Punjab. His allegations were dismissed by Badals even though two other accused arrested by police had also named Majithia for facilitating drug supplies under police protection and in red beacon SUVs. Jagdish Bhola and his accomplices were acused of manufacturing and supplying sunthetiuc drugs in Punjab.
The terrorist attacks in Dinanagar police station and Patrhankot air base are also being linked tod rug mafia. The Pathankot SP Salvinder Singh now in custody of National Investigating agency has reportedly told the NIA that he helped the terrorists thinking that they are the drug smugglers. Salvinder Singh had also met former SAD minister Sucha Singh Langah on the night preceding terrorist attack. There are indications of more police officers and political leaders involved in the drug smuggling.