'Over 6,000 drug addicts gave up drugs in Punjab'

Stating that over 6,000 addicts have given up drugs, Punjab government today said it is fully committed to their rehabilitation.
Addressing a gathering at a function organized in Hoshiarpur to honour more than two dozen youths of Chabbewal constituency, who have shunned drugs, Punjab Jail Minister Sohan Singh Thandal said that a number of youths had come back to the mainstream by giving up the drug addiction.
The Minister said in jails, medical treatment to addicted youth was being provided free of cost.
"Till date, more than 6,000 habitual drug addicts have given up the drugs in the state. Keeping in mind all the legalities, the state government will try to ensure release of such inmates," he said in a release here.

He said the state government has now started the second phase of its drug de-addiction campaign.
"Under this campaign, special search teams will visit every nook and corner of the state and anyone found indulging in the sale of banned drugs will be brought to book. At the same time, financial help to start subsidiary occupation will be extended to those who have given up drug addiction," he added.