PTI
Chandigarh, June 21
The Punjab government is contemplating “decriminalising” drug use in order that addicts caught with small amounts of narcotics are despatched to de-addiction centres and never jails, a minister mentioned right here on Wednesday.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh, nevertheless, clarified that this doesn’t imply medication will be legalised. Drug peddlers and smugglers will be dealt with an iron hand, he mentioned.
Singh was talking at an ‘Experts Meeting on Mental Health Issues and Interventions in Punjab’ organised by his division right here, an official assertion mentioned.
Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Social Security, Women and Child Development Baljit Kaur additionally attended the assembly.
“Under this coverage, drug addicts or individuals with substance use issues caught with small amounts of medication will be despatched to de-addiction centres for therapy and rehabilitation as a substitute of being put in jails,” Singh mentioned.
“Decriminalisation doesn’t imply that medication will get legalised, they are going to proceed to stay unlawful,” he mentioned.
He asserted that police will deal with drug smugglers and peddlers with an iron hand.
Drug abuse has affected numerous individuals in Punjab and created an impediment within the progress and improvement of the state, the well being minister mentioned.
“Our government is dedicated to making the state ‘Rangla Punjab’ (Vibrant Punjab) as envisioned by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann,” Singh mentioned.
“We are planning to rope in all of the departments together with Social Security, Youth Affairs and Education to work in tandem with the well being division to struggle the menace of medication,” he mentioned.
The Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Department will assist the rehabilitated sufferers purchase expertise and supply them jobs to assist them return to the mainstream.
Singh instructed well being officers to use the companies of psychiatrists in jails of Punjab and exhorted non-public practitioners to work in collaboration with government well being establishments to obtain this aim.
Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Social Security, Women and Child Development Baljit Kaur, whereas addressing the assembly, assured Singh of her division’s full assist and cooperation in eradicating the menace of drug abuse from the state.
