Jalandhar, November 2
Former Punjab BJP State President and former Union Minister Vijay Sampla expressed deep concern over the growing drug menace in Punjab, describing the situation as alarming and heartbreaking. The reported deaths of two real brothers, Kuldeep Singh and Sona Singh, residents of Patti, and Pankaj Kumar from Dhariwal, allegedly due to drug addiction, have once again raised serious questions about the Punjab Government’s claims of making the state drug-free. Sampla said these deaths were not just a tragedy for the affected families but also a warning about the future of Punjab’s youth.
In statement issued by the party headquarters, Sampla said that the Aam Aadmi Party had promised to make Punjab drug-free before coming to power, but the ground reality raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of its efforts. He questioned the government’s anti-drug campaigns when young people continue to lose their lives and families are left devastated.
Sampla said that the drug menace cannot be tackled through advertisements, public statements and photo opportunities alone. What is needed is decisive action against drug trafficking networks, strict measures against major suppliers, and effective treatment and rehabilitation facilities for those struggling with addiction. Sampla emphasised that saving Punjab’s youth from drugs is not a political issue but a moral and social responsibility of every government.
Sampla further stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that, if the BJP forms the government in Punjab, it will work towards making the state, along with the rest of the country, drug-free by December 31, 2029.