Strengthen laws, deny bail and fast-track trials

Robust rehab programs required

Maybe changing bail laws alone might not eradicate the drug menace, but it could be a step in the right direction if accompanied by robust rehabilitation programs and community support. Changing bail laws might help a little, but it’s not a complete solution. It depends. Bail law changes can help if paired with strong rehab programs and support, but alone, they might not solve the problem.

Sandeep Kaur Manan

Adopt Zero tolerance policy

An all-out crackdown under the operation “Yudh Nashya Virudh” launched by the Punjab Government has exposed the nefarious trade of drugs and illicit liquor in the state. This initiative has led to the unearthing of significant quantities of banned narcotics and spurious liquor across multiple locations, underscoring the alarming scale of this menace in the region. Although some attempts to curb this illegal trade were made earlier too through various restrictions, yet the problem continues unabated. The gruesome hooch tragedy in Tarn Taran a few years ago and now the recent deaths in Majitha subdivision caused by the consumption of adulterated, methanol-laced country liquor, have once again brought this issue to the forefront. These tragedies, primarily affecting the economically weaker sections, highlight the deadly consequences of unchecked drug and liquor trafficking, especially in some underprivileged areas. Many offenders involved in this illegal trade are apprehended and incarcerated, but they frequently secure bail—often due to loopholes in existing laws or the leniency of law enforcement agencies. This has rendered much of the effort ineffective despite the overwhelming support of the public against this evil, which is perpetuated by only a handful of wrongdoers and the situation remains largely unchanged. Frustrated and helpless, local bodies and panchayats are now demanding stringent legal reforms, including the denial of bail to habitual offenders, in a bid to eliminate this societal curse. With renewed resolve, the government has once again urged the public to stand united with law enforcement in this “War on Drugs.” Public meetings and awareness marches are being organised in villages and other vulnerable areas. Yet there is a pressing need to establish ward-wise committees on a regular basis, which can play a crucial role in monitoring anti-social elements and providing real-time intelligence to authorities for timely action. A policy of zero tolerance should be adopted and any unaccounted assets, regardless of who possesses them, must be confiscated without exception. The culprits must face the harshest possible penalties to serve as a deterrent against such criminal behaviour. The upcoming International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking on 26th June should be observed widely to raise awareness among the rural populace and youth about the devastating effects of drug abuse on health, families and communities. At the same time, a judicial review of the current laws should be undertaken to ensure stricter and more effective enforcement. With robust judicial action and vigilant policing, we can hope to dismantle the mafia networks that peddle poison in our society. Let us act now to ensure that no more lives fall prey to these deadly deals and never again should a heinous tragedy like the one at Majitha happen again.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Impose stricter bail conditions

Changing the approach to granting bail to repeat offenders involved in the illegal drug trade, as demanded by some village panchayats, can contribute to addressing the challenges posed by drug-related issues. Imposing stricter bail conditions, such as mandatory monitoring or electronic tracking, could reduce the likelihood of these individuals engaging in further illicit activities while awaiting trial. Such measures can serve as a deterrent to participation in the illegal drug trade and potentially decrease the risk of drug-related crimes. Addressing drug addiction is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. Comprehensive rehabilitation and treatment programs are essential for individuals struggling with addiction, focusing on evidence-based therapies and support systems that address both psychological and physical aspects of the condition. Additionally, tackling the root causes of drug addiction, such as poverty, lack of skill-based education and high unemployment rates, is vital for reducing the demand for illicit substances. Initiatives aimed at industrial and service sector development for creating job opportunities can empower individuals and divert them away from the drug menace. Correspondingly, effective law enforcement strategies are crucial in combating the drug trade. These strategies may include overhauling the enforcement agencies by shunting out black sheep, building advanced intelligence-gathering techniques and targeted operations designed to disrupt and dismantle established drug trafficking networks. Collaboration among law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers and community organisations is necessary to develop holistic solutions that address the intricate issues surrounding drug addiction and trafficking, ultimately fostering healthier communities and reducing the incidence of drug-related crime. The well-known dictum ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’ emphasises the need for strong political leadership with firm will in the state for effective enforcement.

(Dr) Kulwant Singh Phull

Awareness seminars should be conducted

Punjab Government is on a mission “War on Drugs” and to snub the menace of drug addiction. It is really a positive attitude and vision towards the war against drugs by the Punjab Government and the Union Government. The reason behind this is that drugs are ruining the youth of Punjab and a number of deaths among the youth have been witnessed due to overdose. The Punjab Government, through advertisements, is cautioning the youth to keep away from the menace of drugs. The police are doing a remarkable job in curbing the menace. Rehabilitation centres where the drug addicts are kept to keep them away from the menace of drug addiction are running successfully. As a number of panchayats have raised the issue of change in law that prohibits granting bail to repeated offenders involved in the illicit drug trade, it now depends on the Union and State Governments to frame or amend the law. The rest lies with the Hon’ble Courts to decide. The Punjab Government should direct the Education Department to contact private and government colleges and universities to carry out seminars on the issue of war on drugs and the issue of bail to repeated offenders involved in the illicit drug trade. In the seminars, police officers, judicial officials, advocates, professors, doctors and representatives from social organisations should be invited. The officials should be directed to forward the proposals as desired by the masses on the issue of bail to repeated offenders involved in the illicit drug trade. Apart from this, discussions should also focus on what measures or steps should be adopted to curb the menace of drugs in the coming future.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Amend laws against Narcotics use

Punjab is a flourishing state, but one of its deepest flaws is the system’s complete failure in managing the drug trade throughout the province and its wide grip on the entire country. There are many formidably strong rackets operating in broad daylight in the streets of Punjab. The worst part of all of this is that the main target of these devious organisations is the youth of Punjab. The drug epidemic is sweeping the state and especially the bright future of Punjab into the infinite darkness of addiction. More than 860,000 individuals aged 15–35 are taking some sort of drug and hollowing themselves out. Heroin is used by 53 per cent of them. Hence, one of the largest contributors to the rise and running of drug rackets are the innocent people of the state fooled into the worst form of addiction. However, the recent “War on Drugs” by the Punjab Government has shaken the root at its deepest core and the people have gathered hope. This hope has resulted in the village panchayats requesting the administration to amend the Narcotics Laws and prohibit bail for regular drug trade offenders and criminals. This is quite a smart and reasonable request, showing how concerned the public is and how desperately they want to eliminate this social impurity. This step is also really very crucial for the success of the movement, as, in order to eliminate drug rackets as a whole from Punjab, all the culprits need to be locked up behind bars. Under any circumstances, no bail should be provided to criminals who have been captured by the police and tried by the court of law. This is because not only is it disrespectful to both segments of the system if the wrongdoers are finally caught after burning midnight oil, now they can roam free, but also, it brings confidence to the culprit as they won’t have to be scared of the administration. Anyone who is captured is released within a matter of months, resulting in the reestablishment of all the contacts within a matter of hours, making the cartel go back to its regular nuisance like nothing happened. That’s why it’s imperative that anyone found guilty should be imprisoned without any second thought. A culprit should only be released after serving their full sentence. This, for sure, will break the chain of trade in the mafia world, resulting in the collapse of each and every gang one by one, eventually making Punjab as drug-free as never before.

LAKSHIT JINDAL

Fast-track court proceedings

Any change in existing bail provisions to repeat offenders in drug cases is not required. Section 37 of the NDPS Act stipulates that drug-related offences are cognizable and non-bailable and Section 29 of the Act lays down more stringent and elaborate conditions for granting bail to habitual offenders in drug cases. Instead of granting any relaxation in bail provisions, the court proceedings should be fast-tracked with time-bound disposal of the cases under the NDPS Act. The drug menace in any society is not tolerable under any conditions, and the legal provisions are required to be strict and strong for its elimination. Some countries are largely successful in getting rid of this menace through stringent enforcement of the legal framework alone. However, the guilty must be punished as per law, but rehabilitation measures for those addicts found guilty under law must be institutionalised for both those undergoing jail punishment and those addicted to drugs.

Jagdish Chander

Jalandhar