New Delhi, October 1: Attari Block President of Youth Congress’ Anti-Narcotics Cell, Guriqbal Singh was arrested by police after 2 gm of heroin found in his possession. Harpal Singh, SP Rural Punjab Police told ANI that a case has been registered and the accused has been sent to judicial custody after interrogation. Singh was arrested from Hoshiar Nagar.
This news comes after Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh decided to establish three more forensic chemical examiner laboratories under Comprehensive Action Against Drug Abuse (CADA) to speed up the testing of drug samples.
After the launch of this new initiative, the test results will now be available within 30 days period to empower the police to conduct speedy investigation and filing of reports in different courts.
According to a survey (Punjab Opioid Dependence Survey) conducted by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment with support from Department of Health, Punjab, heroin is the most commonly used drug in Punjab (53 percent), followed by opium (33 percent), and pharmaceutical opioids (14 percent).
Most of the addicts are male (99 percent) and 76 percent are aged between 18-35 years. 89 percent of males who use drugs are literate, with some form of formal education. The RDS study was carried out at 10 districts in the state of Bathinda, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur, and Tarn Taran.
Punjab’s proximity to heroin-producing ‘golden crescent’ region of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran has turned it into an ideal point of entry for Pakistan-based drug smuggling syndicates. Smugglers across the border have developed a sophisticated cross-border network for smuggling heroin (locally called chitta, or white powder) and opium (fukki). The border districts of Firozpur, Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot are common routes for drugs supply.
The anti-narcotics cell of the Congress party was formed to create awareness among the youth about the dangerous side-effects of drug use. The group regularly campaigns in Punjab for the eradication of the drug menace in the state.
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