Police organises awareness program ‘Punjab Says No to Drugs’ with prominent personalities

In a concerted effort to combat the growing menace of drug addiction, Mohali Police conducted the awareness program “Punjab Says No to Drugs – A Step Towards Rangla Punjab” at Sports Complex Sector-78 on Thursday. Renowned Punjabi personalities, including singer Kanwar Grewal, actor Kartar Cheema, singer Sunanda Sharma, and actor-singer Gurnam Bhullar, actively participated in educating students and the community about the perils of drug abuse.
The program saw interaction sessions with ADGP Ropar Range Jaskaran Singh and SSP Mohali District Dr. Sandeep Garg, who engaged with students and addressed their inquiries regarding drug-related issues. Notable figures like MLA Derabassi Kuljeet Singh Randhawa, District Planning Committee Chairperson Prabhjot Kor, DLSA Secretary JM Baljinder Singh Mann, ADC Viraj S Tidke, and Psychiatrist Dr. Kanwar Grewal also contributed to the interactive session.
As part of the event, a poster-making competition against drug abuse was organized, with Jagmeet Singh, Tanisha Sharma, and Nandini Rani securing the top three positions and receiving cash rewards. The program also featured the play “Vaapsee,” written by Surinder Narula and presented by the Vatsal Chhaya team led by Chinese Gill.
Youth Warned About Dangers of Drugs:
Punjabi singers Gurnam Bhullar and Sunanda Sharma delivered impactful performances to alert the youth about the dangers of drug addiction. Chief Judge and Secretary of District Legal Services Authority, Baljinder Singh Mann, emphasized the importance of cultivating a habit of reading good books to steer clear of drug abuse. Psychologist Dr. Gurmukh Singh emphasized parental attention as a crucial factor in preventing children from falling into the trap of drug addiction.
Police Helpline for Reporting Drug Smugglers:
SSP Dr. Sandeep Garg announced the establishment of a district helpline WhatsApp number, 8054100112, for reporting information about drug smugglers. He assured that strict action would be taken against anyone, including police personnel, found responsible for supplying drugs.

ADGP’s Insights on Fighting Drug Menace:
During the interactive session, ADGP Jaskaran Singh provided answers to students’ questions:
Q: How to stop drug addiction and stay away from it?
A: Strict action should be taken against drug suppliers and their helpers, including any involved police personnel.
Q: What kind of action is taken against smugglers, and how do security forces prevent cross-border supply?
A: Punjab Police has seized property worth over Rs 100 crore from drug smugglers. Security forces are actively preventing cross-border smuggling, particularly through drones.
Q: What action does the police take against accused individuals involved in drugs?
A: A case under the NDPS Act is immediately registered, with a punishment ranging from 10 to 20 years of imprisonment.
Q: How can individuals give information about drug suppliers to the police?
A: Students should take the initiative to inform their families and call the police helpline number to eliminate drug addiction from their surroundings.

Health Tips to Combat Drug Addiction:
Actor Kartar Cheema advised against relying on dopamine hormones from drugs for temporary relief, advocating regular exercise for a healthy body. Punjabi singer Kanwar Grewal encouraged students to set high goals and focus on achieving them to remain drug-free. Gurpreet Singh Niamiya suggested reading religious texts, including Gurbani from Guru Granth Sahib, to keep the younger generation away from drug addiction. The event aimed to create awareness, empower the youth, and strengthen community efforts to eradicate drug abuse in Punjab.