Drugs have entered schools, children getting addicted: Punjab Governor Purohit

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Wednesday called drug menace a major concern for the state, saying drugs have permeated into schools too.

The governor, who is on a two-day tour of Punjab's border villages, said villagers say drugs are available like grocery items at general stores. "It is a matter of worry. It is not the question of adults only. Drugs have entered schools and children are getting addicted. Parents are feeling helpless.

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"Some children get addicted to the extent that they start stealing in their homes and we are getting several complaints in this regard. They get trapped in clutches of gangs who are dominating," Purohit told reporters in Pathankot. During his two-day programme, the governor is visiting Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Fazilka and Ferozepur during which he will interact with sarpanches and other prominent local residents of the districts and take feedback from people on problems being faced by them.

On drug issue, the governor said, "Situation is such that if we go to villages, villagers say drugs are available like grocery items at general stores". Police may not be knowing but villagers know everything, he said. The governor clarified that the objective of his visit is not to blame anyone, but make people understand and aware of the situation.

"I will tell you the objective of my visit. It is not to blame anyone. But I have to make people understand and aware of the situation. It is not a matter of ordinary smuggling," he said, while referring to drugs, whose smuggling in border areas is taking place which is percolating in Punjab and through it to other states as well. "I will praise administration and BSF that many (drug) seizures are taking place. But it (drug consignments) are getting caught, but many are not otherwise how is it reaching schools and villages. It is a matter of big worry. We need to strengthen our police stations," he said.