Bathinda: Punjab assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has conceded that while the Aam Aadmi Party govt fulfilled all the guarantees extended to the people, it could not deliver on its promise of eliminating the drug menace.“Saaria guarantteea pooria ho geiya pat main matava, bhaina vich khade ho ke kahna hai ke chitte wali guarantee sadde to poori ni hoyi. Nahi hoya khatam, ik gal jaroor hai ke hun na koi saada mc, mla, mantri, speaker ya mukh mantri chitte wale di madad ni karda (All the guarantees have been fulfilled, but standing in front of mothers and sisters, I wish to confess that the guarantee about drugs could not be fulfilled by us. It has not been eliminated, but it is for sure that our councillors, MLAs, ministers, the speaker, or the CM do not support those involved in drugs,” Sandhwan said during his ‘lok milni’ programme at Kotkapura Saturday evening.He also said if drug abuse could not be fully eliminated here, it could not have been eliminated anywhere in the world. However, we are trying our best to eliminate it. We are trying our best to eliminate it, but it requires the active support of the people.People should take their children to gurdwaras or any other religious places and guide them toward spiritual practices to keep them away from drugs.Expressing displeasure, Sandhwan, in an angry tone, said, “We can only take them (offenders) into custody but cannot shoot them. Whenever police arrest those involved in drugs, mothers are the first to approach and request their release, claiming that their children are only addicts.”By arresting those involved in drugs, we are only trying to save society. So please don’t plead for their release, the speaker added.When contacted, Sandhwan told TOI, “I am trying to be realistic, as eliminating drugs is a tough job. We are trying to root out the drug menace, but for this, we need sincere support from the people. We have broken the politician-police-peddler (PPP) nexus. We have made maximum seizures and arrests, created maximum facilities for rehabilitation, and promoted sports activities to turn those addicted toward sports. We are hopeful of containing the menace.”This narrative showcases the situation regarding drug abuse – drug addiction and peddling – in Punjab. Drugs are snatching lives in the most productive age. The rampant use of drugs is quite alarming, said a social activist, who did not wish to be named.Since 2015, successive govts have promised to eradicate drug abuse from Punjab, and now, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP are also making similar pledges ahead of the 2027 assembly polls.
