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Poonch police extends helping hand to youth to overcome drug addiction

Anubhav Misri. Dated: 5/15/2019 2:50:16 PM

Officers visiting addicts’ houses for counselling

POONCH, May 14: In a first of its kind, Poonch police has taken upon itself to deal with the drug menace with its two-pronged strategy revealing its compassionate side to the addicts by arranging counseling session while showing no mercy towards those engaged in drug peddling.
While tightening noose around drug peddlers, Poonch police in a novel initiative has constituted special teams for counseling youth fighting drug addiction. The officers of the team in civvies visit the houses of these youth to motivate them to leave this menace and save future. Yet at the same time, it was not showing any leniency towards drug peddlers.
Police sources said, “In last few weeks, Poonch police launched a drive against drug peddlers. Taking strict action against drug peddlers and their kingpins, police arrested more than a dozen persons. And slapped PSA on two drug peddlers and destroyed fields of poppies in the district.”
“The stringent actions of police forced drug peddlers to flee from Poonch but the youth, who were in clutches of drugs, are still suffering to overcome this menace. Police has been striving hard and taking every step to make general public, especially youth, aware through interactions, anti drug campaign etc to eradicate drug menace,” stated a Police officer.
“We requested people of the area to come forward and share any information about drug peddling or consumption and cooperate with the Men in Khaki for the cause of society. During this campaign, we received a suggestion regarding counselling of drug addict youths who were still in the clutches of drugs. We immediately constituted few teams and reached out to these drug addict youths in their houses,” the officer revealed.
“Police started this initiative and few teams were constituted. All teams are giving counselling to youths in their houses. The police personnel approach them in civvies,” he added.
A police officer preferring anonymity stated, “The officers are visiting the houses of those who are using drug and are giving consultation to them. To begin with, we have selected 10 youths of Poonch and are giving consultation to them.”
“Infact, the youth feel shy to visit drug de-addiction Centre at Poonch. That’s why we are reaching out to them. Now we are focusing on social policing. But we will not spare drug peddlers,” he added.