"Nasha akela banda karta hai… par aundha effect poori family te hota hai."
(An individual uses drugs, but its effect is felt by the entire family.)

Mahant Singh had to do something that no grandparent should ever have to do: cremate his 14-year-old grandson. Sukhwinder died of a drug overdose after being addicted for a year. His family efforts to rid him of the habit failed. The Class 8 student's death sent shockwaves through Punjab. It sounded an alarm bell: Punjab's drug problem has not only reached children but is ending their lives.

I don't want any more families to lose their Sukhwinders. Join me in demanding government-funded rehabilitation centers in every district, with a dedicated section for minors.

My name is Abhimanyu Rampal and I run an open-rehab called Mehar Foundation in Panchkula, to help people suffering from substance abuse, and I know for a fact that Punjab needs more of these, that too, funded by the government. 

According to a report in The Wire, dated 2 Jan 2022, 1.2% of the adult population of Punjab (2 crores as per the 2011 census) is addicted to drugs. 

The state has multiple de-addiction centers that prescribe medicines to individuals addicted to drugs, but the looming problem in Punjab is proof that these centers are not enough.

An addict is taken to a de-addiction center, for the umpteenth time, hoping that this time, they will get rid of the habit, but the habit refuses to leave them.

With the elections round the corner, I believe now is the best time to demand more resources. Through my petition on change.org I would like to appeal to all political parties to commit to “setting up Government Drug Rehabilitation Centres in every district of Punjab with a designated section for minors” if they are voted into office.

These rehab centres can help individuals with a history of drug-abuse to detoxify, get mental health counseling, exercise, learn new skills and start afresh in life.

By establishing a rehabilitation centre in every district, the government can help make Punjab drug-free, and it’s high time it does. 

Sign and share this petition to ensure that #PunjabFightsDrugs.

Image Courtesy: Scroll