Punjab signs MoU on drug control with UN body

Punjab, which is grappling with the problem of drug addiction, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to jointly work towards combating the menace.
An official spokesperson today said the MoU was signed by the Regional Representative of UNODC, Cristina Albertin, and Principal Secretary (Home Affairs and Justice) D S Bains for initiating joint drug control efforts in the state.
Expressing deep concern over the menace, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said his government is fully committed to launch a war against drug addiction, and sought serious involvement of UNODC in weeding out the problem.

Badal further said he will soon meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and take up the issue of smuggling of poppy husk from Rajasthan to Punjab, and seek his intervention to check this unlawful activity.
The Chief Minister asked the representatives of UNODC to adopt a comprehensive approach focusing on all aspects related to drug abuse in sync with the state government to evolve a result oriented action plan.
Stating the purpose and objective of the MoU, Albertin apprised the chief minister that it primarily aimed at facilitating and establishing a framework between the state government and UNODC in common and mutually agreed areas of activity in drug control.