Punjab: Doorstep service to end drug abuse

Chandigarh: The Punjab government is starting a doorstep programme against durg abuse. Chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has directed the DCs and SSPs to personally take on the mantle of implementation of the Drug Abuse Prevention Officers (DAPO) programme, which the state government is set to launch on March 23, the martyrdom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, to be observed as Youth Empowerment Day.

The directive was issued by the chief minister while chairing a meeting of the DCs and SSPs here on Wednesday.

Describing DAPO as a major initiative for partnering the community to prevent drug abuse, the chief minister said it was the top-most priority of his government, in which he expected all DCs and SSPs to be actively involved, on the ground, to ensure its successful implementation through their hard work and best efforts.

Captain Amarinder ordered all departments, both at the district and state level, as well as the anti-drugs STF to work in cohesion to execute the programme. The chief minister’s office, he said, would closely monitor the programme on a fortnightly basis.

The chief minister asked officials to immediately launch a multi-media awareness campaign on to ensure maximum enlistment of DAPOs and coverage of each locality in the state. Giving details of the programme, the CM said it was designed as a doorstep model, and aimed at generating a mass movement.