Curbing Drug Menace in Haryana

Add a comment

16 tonnes of drugs were seized by the Haryana Police in 2019. This leaves us to wonder how many tonnes of drugs have percolated into the society, making Drug menace a crucial problem for the youth of Haryana. 

The following are the four main reasons driving drug menace in Haryana.

  • Unemployment: As per the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) report, Haryana has the highest unemployment rate of 21.8% in December-2019. Lack of engaging work is taking youth to drugs.
  • Smuggling: Haryana shares a long border with Punjab. The smuggled drugs from the Golden Crescent (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran) into Punjab find an easy entry into Haryana through many villages across the border.
  • Corruption: Haryana Vigilance Bureau reported immense corruption in the law enforcement departments – police, excise – especially at level of constables, sub-inspectors. Poor law enforcement led to drugs in the vicinity of schools as well making children drug-addicts.
  • Drug abuse is a Social Taboo: Many drug addicts who seek rehabilitation are hesitant because of the taboo associated with drugs. Women addicts are more prone to this problem as their parents worry about marriage prospects. 

 

Solving the menace

Addressing drug-demand:

  • Employment:
      • Increased employment opportunities in urban Haryana through industrial development, entrepreneurship and skilling the youth. An employment task force should be created to find convergence between MUDRA Yojana, Start-up India, Make in India and other livelihood generating opportunities. 
      • In rural Haryana, non-farm jobs should be created by developing food processing industries and cottage industries.
  • Social interventions: 
      • Associate with social media companies to launch mass awareness campaigns on drug abuse and ways to seek help.
      • Celebrities who have overcome drug addiction should be part of awareness campaigns so that the social taboo associated with drug abuse is addressed.
      • Appreciation from the level of Chief Minister – in the form of tweets, awards etc., – should be provided to patients who recover from drug addiction to encourage other addicts.
  • Rehabilitation: More investments on setting up rehabilitation centres, especially in districts bordering Punjab where drug menace is high. The rehabilitated patients can also be provided jobs in rehabilitation as counselors, social media influencers etc., to reach out to more drug-addicts.

Addressing drug-supply:

  • Inter-State Coordination: Drug menace is a national issue. Haryana police and excise departments should coordinate with the Punjab government through information sharing on drug trafficking. The Haryana government should also not hesitate to help Punjab at the Indo-Pak border for effective surveillance. 
  • Strengthen intelligence: The police and revenue intelligence should be augmented to trace the drug dealers. Social media can also be leveraged for this by encouraging responsible youth to report any case of drug addiction or supply. Such responsible youth should also be given protection if needed. 
  • Effective law-enforcement: While there is a need for stronger law to fight drug menace, the problem of corruption should be dealt with.  

Haryana has a rich demographic dividend. The drug menace should be curbed to ensure that the youth of Haryana become an asset to the state rather than a liability.

Leave a comment