CHANDIGARH – The Punjabi NRI community has demanded that the state government should take tough measures against the drug mafia. Only then can the state ensure a permanent solution to the problem.
“The Punjabi-American community in North America is deeply shocked to know that more than half of Punjab’s population, particularly the youth, is hooked on to drugs,” said Satnam Singh Chahal, executive director, North American Punjabi Association (NAPA).
NAPA’s Chahal and Dalwinder Dhoot have even shot off a letter to Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal expressing concern over the issue.
Tarlochan Sohal, Deputy Sheriff of Merced county in California, said the extent of the problem had shocked the NRIs. “It is a worrisome situation, which needs to be tackled strategically. A multi-task force needs to be created at the local level to exclusively deal with the addicts and peddlers. The force should not be under the police control.” He said as was the practice in the US, small peddlers could be effectively used to reach out to the big fish. “In fact, small peddlers should be rewarded for their help. Fully equipped members of a crack force should be deployed on highways to check vehicles,” suggested Sohal.
Harry Dhaliwal, a Toronto-based federal judge originally hailing from Jagraon, said, “The influence of the local politicians on the police needs to be checked. The powers of the police to nail anyone in any case should be curtailed.”
Jodie Lobana, a Toronto-based chartered accountant, said addicts needed sympathy. “Once a person is tagged as a drug consumer, he is shunned by the society and treated as untouchable. They, in fact, need to be helped to return to the mainstream.”
