Patiala, September 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Tuesday said the state government’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign had evolved into a people’s movement, with citizens increasingly sharing information about drug trafficking networks and supporting efforts to tackle substance abuse.
Reviewing the campaign and anti-drug measures in Patiala district, the minister said an encouraging trend was also emerging on the demand-reduction front, with more people struggling with substance dependence voluntarily approaching de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities for treatment.
According to the figures shared at the meeting, the number of patients seeking treatment at de-addiction centres, Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centres and rehabilitation centres has increased 250-fold.
Dr Balbir Singh said the government was pursuing a multi-pronged strategy covering both the supply and demand sides of the drug problem. He said police had been directed to trace major drug traffickers to the source and dismantle the supply chain.
He said the campaign combines prevention, surveillance, treatment, rehabilitation and community participation. Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and Ward Defence Committees (WDCs), he added, were playing an important role by helping citizens share information about drug trafficking with authorities through these platforms and the Nasha Mukti App.
The minister also highlighted the role of former drug users who have successfully overcome addiction. The Punjab Government has recognised them as ‘Soorme’, with the individuals now serving as ambassadors to encourage others to seek treatment and rehabilitation.
Reviewing enforcement data, Dr Balbir Singh said Patiala Police registered 2,254 cases involving non-commercial quantities of narcotics and arrested 2,701 people between March 1, 2025 and August 30, 2026. During the same period, 88 FIRs involving commercial quantities were registered, resulting in the arrest of 148 alleged drug traffickers.
On treatment, 1,254 people were admitted to de-addiction centres, while 3,065 received treatment at OOAT centres during the period under review.
The minister said drug abuse was a wider social challenge and stressed that making Punjab drug-free required coordinated efforts by the government, police, community organisations and citizens.
He said the Nasha Mukti Morcha was working to reduce demand for drugs and facilitate the rehabilitation of people affected by addiction. A Community Bridge Programme has also been launched for people willing to give up drugs, allowing them to approach designated hospitals for treatment and medicines.
MLAs Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Kulwant Singh Bazigar, Nasha Mukti Morcha State Observer Aasit Kumar, Zone In-charge Anu Babbar, District Rural President Yadvinder Singh Goldy Sandhu, Urban President Baljinder Singh Sarao and other party functionaries, along with senior civil and police officials, attended the review meeting.
ADC (G) Anuprita Johal welcomed the minister and assured that the government’s directions would be implemented. SP (H) Vaibhav Chaudhary, representing SSP Varun Sharma, said sustained action against drug traffickers would continue.
SP (City) Mohit Aggarwal, SP (D) Devinder Attri, SDMs and DSPs, Civil Surgeon Dr Shaily Jaitley, Rajindra Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Vishal Chopra, Psychiatry Department head Dr Rajnish Raj, District Development and Panchayat Officer Mahinderjit Singh and other officials were also present.
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