Rather than things improving, it’s getting worse and the same has been duly noted by the SC which has asked the state police to go beyond filing FIRs and ensure action in this regard to save the youngsters falling prey to the menace of drugs. This time around, concerning the illegal Bhattis where the liquor is manufactured, the SC has made it clear that if the same continues, the police would be responsible for it in toto. The problem of drug abuse and particularly the consumption and manufacturing of illicit liquor is prevalent in most parts of the country, and there too, such operations continue due to the inaction of law enforcement agencies, especially police.
Punjab’s role in curbing the drug menace and now the matter of illicit liquor has always been shady; it has not been able to put an end to it despite claiming to have taken several initiatives to address the issue. The state whose youth is in danger; whose youth is vulnerable due to several factors out there, needs to have an effective policy to deal with the issues of drugs and illicit liquor.
The action part of the policy has to be more stringent and needs to be followed in letter and spirit because that holds the key. At the same time, other states, too, across the country need to come down heavily, first, on the menace of illicit liquor which is consuming scores of lives every year, and second, the increase in drug abuse. The trend is becoming worse, in some of the states—if not all the states across the country—and the emerging scenario calls for a collective, genuine and determined response. Because youth needs to be saved!
