MOGA – Hundreds of residents of Moga, mostly youths, took to the streets on Wednesday to raise their voice against the menace of drug addiction and other social evils.
They marched through the main roads of the city carrying placards, posters and banners under the aegis of the Youth Welfare Federation and raising slogans against drug abuse, female foeticide and dowry.
There have been reports that a large number of youths in Moga district, especially in rural areas, are under the grip of drug addiction. Some of them go to the extent of committing crimes such as snatching and burglary when they do not have money to buy drugs.
District Magistrate Parminder Singh Gill also came out of his office and addressed the youths. He expressed concern over the growing number of drug addicts in the region and asked the youth to fight against the menace.
“Although the police have launched a special drive to arrest drug peddlers and seize contraband, the need of the hour is to create awareness on a larger level to eradicate this menace,” he said.
He said addiction among youths had reached such alarming proportions that without the active support and cooperation from all corners, including the police, drug dealers and parents of addicts, it was not possible to come out of this problem.
Deputy Medical Commissioner Dr Naresh Gupta and Senior Medical Officer Dr Arvinder Singh Gill, who flagged off this procession from the district hospital, said they had to fight together against the problem of drug abuse. “If people come out like they have today and support the administration in combating drug peddling, it will soon be wiped out,” he said.
