Patiala News:‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ has become a people’s movement; 250-fold rise in patients seeking de-addiction treatment: Dr Balbir Singh
-Health Minister reviews anti-drug initiatives in Patiala district
-Major drug traffickers will be traced to the source to break supply chain; de-addiction drive intensified to curb demand
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Tuesday said that the Punjab Government’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign has now evolved into a people’s movement, with citizens actively coming forward to share information about drug traffickers and support the government’s efforts to eliminate the menace of drugs.
He said that an encouraging change is also being witnessed on the demand-reduction front, with people struggling with substance dependence increasingly coming forward voluntarily to seek treatment. According to the latest figures, the number of patients seeking treatment at de-addiction centres, OOAT centres and rehabilitation centres has witnessed a 250-fold increase.
The Health Minister was reviewing anti-drug initiatives and the progress of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign in Patiala district during a high-level meeting held at the District Administrative Complex here.
MLAs Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Kulwant Singh Bazigar, State Observer of the Nasha Mukti Morcha Aasit Kumar, Zone In-charge Anu Babbar, District Rural President Yadvinder Singh Goldy Sandhu, Urban President Baljinder Singh Sarao, Vice-Presidents Pawan Kumar and Ranjit Singh, constituency and block coordinators from all eight Assembly constituencies of the district, besides civil and police officials, were present at the meeting.
Dr Balbir Singh said that drug abuse is not a challenge confined to Punjab alone but remains a serious concern across the country and the world. He said that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has adopted a systematic and multi-pronged approach to tackle the problem by targeting both the supply and demand sides of the drug trade.
He said that the formation of the Nasha Mukti Morcha, coupled with sustained action against drug trafficking and efforts to encourage treatment and rehabilitation, has started yielding encouraging results.
The Health Minister said that the police have been directed to pursue drug trafficking networks to their very source and apprehend major traffickers at the root, with the objective of dismantling the entire drug supply chain.
Highlighting the comprehensive approach of the Punjab Government, Dr Balbir Singh said that the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign focuses on prevention, surveillance, treatment, rehabilitation and strengthening community participation in the fight against substance abuse.
He said that Ward Defence Committees and Village Defence Committees have emerged as important partners in this campaign, encouraging people to actively support the government’s efforts. Citizens are increasingly sharing information related to drug trafficking through VDCs, WDCs and the Nasha Mukti App, enabling timely action by the police.
The Health Minister said that individuals who have successfully overcome drug addiction have been recognised as ‘Soorme’ by the Punjab Government. These individuals are now serving as brand ambassadors and inspiring others to come forward for treatment and rehabilitation while strengthening the campaign against drugs at the grassroots level.
Reviewing enforcement action, Dr Balbir Singh said that feedback received during public interaction meetings attended by him, elected representatives and members of Village and Ward Defence Committees is acted upon promptly by the police.
He said that from March 1, 2025 to August 30, 2026, Patiala Police registered 2,254 cases involving non-commercial quantities of narcotics and arrested 2,701 persons. During the same period, 88 FIRs involving commercial quantities were registered, leading to the arrest of 148 drug traffickers.
On the treatment and rehabilitation front, 1,254 persons were admitted to de-addiction centres, while 3,065 persons received treatment at OOAT centres.
Dr Balbir Singh said that the fight against drugs is a collective social responsibility and making Punjab a drug-free state is the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann—a vision that must be realised through the collective efforts of the government, law enforcement agencies, community organisations and citizens.
He said that the Nasha Mukti Morcha is working round the clock, with the support of the people, to reduce the demand for drugs and help persons struggling with addiction return to the mainstream of society.
The Health Minister further said that a Community Bridge Programme has been launched for individuals willing to give up drugs, under which they can approach designated hospitals to receive the necessary treatment and medicines.
ADC (G) Anuprita Johal welcomed the Health Minister and leaders of the Nasha Mukti Morcha on behalf of Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal and assured that the Punjab Government’s directions would be implemented in letter and spirit.
SP (H) Vaibhav Chaudhary, on behalf of SSP Varun Sharma, assured that strict and sustained action would continue against drug traffickers and that no person involved in the illegal drug trade would be spared.
Among others present at the meeting were SP (City) Mohit Aggarwal, SP (D) Devinder Attri, all SDMs and DSPs, Civil Surgeon Dr Shaily Jaitley, Medical Superintendent, Rajindra Hospital, Dr Vishal Chopra, Head of the Department of Psychiatry Dr Rajnish Raj, District Development and Panchayat Officer Mahinderjit Singh and other officials.