Awareness Seminar on Drug Abuse

Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha/April 30 : Under Mission Smile and the “War Against Drugs” campaign, as per directives from Ms. Ashika Jain, IAS, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairperson of the District Drug De-addiction and Rehabilitation Society, Hoshiarpur, the District Drug De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre organised an awareness seminar at the Police Recruitment Training Centre (PRTC) Jahan Khelan, Hoshiarpur. The event was led by Commandant Mandeep Singh Gill, PPS, and Dr. Saurav, Medical Officer in-charge of the PRTC hospital.
On the occasion, Dr. Saurav welcomed the guests and motivated the youth to stay away from the menace of drugs. He stated that Punjab is known for its unique identity.
Dr. Jasleen Kaur, Medical Officer in-charge of the District Drug De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre, Hoshiarpur, was specially present.
Dr. Jasleen Kaur provided detailed information on substance abuse. She emphasised the need to instill enthusiasm for hard work among the youth and urged them to spread maximum awareness against drug addiction. “The youth of Punjab, land of five rivers, are heading towards the quagmire of drugs today. Only if we become aware from now can we restore Punjab to its vibrant glory,” she said. She explained how drugs affect various body organs and shared extensive details on their impacts with the participants.
Sandeep Kumari, psychologist counsellor, noted that according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), drug addiction is a chronic mental illness. It first affects the body physically, then mentally, socially, and economically, she added. She elaborated on the causes, adverse effects, and diseases caused by addiction, pointing out that it often begins during teenage years among students today.
She described tobacco as the “gateway to other drugs.” Per WHO, tobacco contains 4,000–7,000 chemicals, with about 25% nicotine that creates craving and euphoria. Tobacco use raises the risk of around 70 types of cancer.
Counsellor Prashant Adia detailed the adverse effects and causes of drug addiction. He informed that the Punjab Health and Family Welfare Department operates two de-addiction centres in Hoshiarpur district (Civil Hospital Hoshiarpur and Civil Hospital Dasuya), where patients undergo 15–21 days of detoxification. They are then shifted to the District Drug De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre at Mohalla Fatehgarh, Hoshiarpur, for 90 days, including individual, group, and family counselling along with certified vocational skills training.
Additionally, 16 OPDAT clinics operate at district, sub-division, and CHC levels, where treatment begins with written consent from the patient and family, lasting about a year. This treatment prevents overdose deaths through medication. For public counselling, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has launched the “Tele-Manas” app and helpline 14416, available 24×7 for advice.
Tahreen Basra, State Mental Health Fellow, shared details on “War Against Drugs” campaign activities, including the Surma Programme, Village Guards Programme, and mass awareness drives. She encouraged people to join as Village Defence Committee (VDC) members and highlighted Punjab government’s initiatives.
Counsellor Prashant Adia administered a pledge to the youth to remain drug-free. “We must become aware ourselves to help those gripped by addiction,” he said.