The issue of drug abuse in Punjab has been a matter of concern for a long time. From time to time, governments and the administration have made major claims about efforts to curb the drug menace, but people on the ground paint a different picture.
Conversations with residents suggest that many believe drug abuse in Punjab has increased rather than declined. From villages to bus stands and local markets in cities, people claim that drugs remain easily accessible. They fear that the growing menace is pushing the younger generation towards ruin while contributing to an atmosphere of insecurity and crime across the state.
The Drug Menace in Punjab
Ordinary citizens and students say that irrespective of official claims, the drug problem has reached alarming levels. Even school and college students at a young age are reportedly falling into the trap of substance abuse.
According to residents, the concern is no longer limited to alcohol or opium. The growing use of ‘chitta’ and injectable drugs is seen as an even greater threat.
People claim that young users can be seen injecting drugs into veins in their wrists, arms and legs. They say the problem is not confined to rural areas but has also spread into urban neighbourhoods and markets.
Growing Insecurity in Public Places
Residents say the spread of drug abuse has made public spaces such as bus stands and railway stations feel increasingly unsafe at night.
Citing the example of the main bus stand in Phagwara, people alleged that despite the presence of security guards, there is a lack of effective vigilance. They said incidents involving the theft of mobile phones and vehicles at night are a recurring concern.
Women and girls in cities such as Amritsar also say that the presence of people under the influence of drugs in public areas makes them feel unsafe while stepping outside their homes.
Rising Theft and Crime
People also link the rise in petty crime and theft to drug addiction.
According to residents, some people struggling with addiction resort to stealing from their own homes or elsewhere to pay for their daily drug consumption. They claim that items worth Rs 1,500 may sometimes be sold for as little as Rs 150 simply to obtain money for drugs.
Many believe that if drug abuse is effectively controlled, incidents of petty theft, snatching and the resulting sense of insecurity could also decline significantly.
Why Are Young People Falling Into Drug Abuse?
Residents identify several factors that they believe are pushing young people towards substance abuse:
- Bad company and peer pressure: Peer influence, competition to impress others and experimentation can draw young people towards drugs.
- Unemployment and anxiety about the future: A lack of suitable jobs and employment opportunities, even after higher education, can contribute to stress, frustration and hopelessness among young people.
- Idleness and lack of physical activity: A shortage of accessible sports facilities in some villages and cities can leave young people spending more time on mobile phones or in unhealthy social environments.
- Lack of parental supervision: Busy lifestyles and reduced communication within families can make it harder for parents to notice changes in their children’s behaviour, spending patterns or social circles in time.
- Easy availability: Residents believe that easy access to drugs at the local level is one of the biggest factors contributing to addiction.
Impact on Punjab’s Culture and Heritage
Punjab is the land of Gurus, saints and freedom fighters who made immense sacrifices for society and the country.
People express deep concern that if young people continue falling into drug addiction, there may eventually be fewer people to carry forward Punjab’s rich cultural heritage.
While society is advancing towards modernity and a digital future, drug abuse can deepen social and economic distress. Families may break apart, livelihoods can suffer, and social values can come under increasing pressure.
Rehabilitation Centres and Government Policies
Public opinion about government-run de-addiction and rehabilitation centres is mixed.
Some people argue that rehabilitation alone cannot solve the problem unless the supply of illegal drugs is also disrupted.
They believe that a person struggling with addiction requires comprehensive support, including family involvement, psychological support, appropriate medical care and an environment that reduces exposure to circumstances associated with drug use.
Steps Needed to Tackle Drug Abuse
People have suggested several measures to address the problem:
- Strict enforcement and action against corruption: Drug traffickers and those facilitating illegal drug networks should face firm legal action without political interference or discrimination.
- Target the supply chain: Police and intelligence agencies should prioritise identifying major suppliers and trafficking routes through which illegal drugs reach local communities.
- Grassroots awareness campaigns: Alongside law enforcement, large-scale awareness programmes should be conducted in villages and vulnerable communities to educate people about the risks of drug abuse.
- Promote employment and sports: More employment opportunities and better sporting infrastructure can provide young people with constructive avenues for their energy and ambitions.
- Greater involvement of panchayats and community organisations: Village panchayats and neighbourhood committees can play a greater role in preventing drug dealing at the local level while supporting affected individuals and families.
The message from the people of Punjab is clear: the state cannot achieve meaningful progress unless its younger generation is free from the grip of drug addiction.
The government, administration, parents and society as a whole will have to work together in this campaign for freedom from drugs.
Only through collective action can Punjab move towards becoming a healthier, safer and more vibrant Rangla Punjab once again.
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