-SATISH HANDA
Talking to media persons, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed deep concern over fast increasing drug addiction among school children and youths in Haryana state. Hooda said, a recent study report by PGI Rohtak reveals drug addiction among school children and youths has witnessed 12 times increase during the years 2016 to 2019. He said, earlier National Crime Report Bureau (NCRB) had projected worsening situation in this regard in Haryana state and according to recent PGI report, 18 cases of drug addicted patients between age 14 to 19 were admitted for treatment in the hospital in 2016, whereas this figure increased to 209 in the year 2019 which is a matter of deep concern. Similarly, PGI admitted 267 youth patients addicted to drugs between age group 20 to 25 addicted to drugs in 2016 and this figure increased to 451 in 2019. He said, serious types of cases are generally referred to PGI and most of drug addicted patients usually visit civil hospitals, private hospitals and drug de-addiction centres operating under the control of state government in many districts and number of such patients is too high.
When reviewed situation with Abhishek Jorwal SP Ambala, he said a special drive against increasing drug smuggling has been launched in the state and Ambala being at the junction of several states including Punjab, Himachal, U.P, Delhi and Chamdigarh has turned as a hub for smuggling and supply of drugs since past times. Jorwal disclosed that only in the month January 2020, police has registered 11 cases of drug smuggling and arrested 14 persons. Recovering large quantity of drugs including charas, heroine, opium, poppy husk intoxicated tablets and capsules of value worth lakhs of rupees.
Jorwal disclosed that in the month Januray 2020, Ambala police registered eight cases of snatching purse and gold ornaments from females at Ambala and arrested the accused solving seven cases.The snatchers in all cases admitted crimes to meet their demand for drugs. After NCRB report about death of 248 people due to drugs and adulterated liquor in Haryana state, a Special Task Force has been constituted to take stern action against drug smugglers and form a Narcotic Bureau at Chandigarh on the direction of Cabinet Home Minister Anil Vij who said that a control room at Panchkula will have close alliance with the police of adjoining states for the arrest of smugglers.
