by Arvind Khanna
It is heartening to learn about a series
of successful operations against drug smugglers by the Punjab Police,
particularly the arrest of drug lords like Bhola and earlier Raja Kandola. Some
of the culprits have also been convicted. At the same time, it is an eye opener
and matter of grave concern that such a huge quantity of drugs is being
smuggled into the state.
It is not only about the drugs from
outside, but more serious is the seizure of drugs that are being manufactured
within the state. The obvious targets are our youth who are falling prey to
this scourge. The reports are alarming. Various surveys have indicated that 70
per cent of our youth have tried one or other sort of drugs at one time or the
other. And unfortunately, quite a number of youth have succumbed to the
addiction – thus virtually ruining their lives.
Our future is at stake. The drugs are
eating into the vitals of our society. The consequences are all too obvious. Our
youth, otherwise known for being well-built, robust and energetic, are not able
to get recruited into the army just for health reasons. Drug addiction is
considered to be the main cause for this poor physical performance by aspiring
recruits. Our burly and robust youth have turned feeble and fragile. An entire
generation is being wasted.
Apart from physical health, drugs cause
social and economic problems as well. The supply network of the drug smugglers
is so strong that those who fall prey to the addiction do not find it difficult
to procure the stuff. Hundreds of families have been ruined financially. Once
it gets to be known that someone has turned into an addict he becomes a social
outcaste, virtually losing purpose in life. It is a trauma not for the addict
alone, but also for the entire family.
While the Punjab Police has done an
exceptionally good job by breaking into the drug cartels and arresting many of
the smugglers, a lot more needs to be done. There is a genuine apprehension in
everybody’s mind that there might be many more people still active in this
dirty trade and much more drug quantities might still be finding its way into
Punjab. This campaign needs to be taken to its logical conclusion to save
Punjab and its youth.
This is everybody’s responsibility and
this job must not be left to only some social workers of India. It should be
everybody’s campaign and for not just, say, the 10 top politicians of India
whom would want to cleanse the system. I believe that awareness against drugs
must be part of the community development programme in India. After all, it
concerns human resource development which is our greatest capital.
