Saptrishi Soni
Punjab’s battle against drugs is entering another phase, with the Bhagwant Mann government increasingly combining police action with sports, rehabilitation and community-based initiatives.
The state has announced the fourth edition of “Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan”, presenting sport as an important part of its strategy to prevent young people from becoming vulnerable to drug addiction. The government argues that providing opportunities for young people in sports can help channel their energy towards healthier activities.
The move reflects a broader shift in the way Punjab’s drug problem is being addressed. For years, the debate has largely centred on policing, arrests and seizures. While law enforcement remains an important part of the state’s strategy, the government is increasingly emphasising prevention and rehabilitation.
The scale of the challenge remains considerable. Punjab’s geographical position, particularly its international border with Pakistan, has historically made it vulnerable to drug trafficking networks. At the same time, drug addiction has affected families and communities across different social and economic groups.
Recent investigations outside Punjab have also highlighted the interstate nature of the problem. Assam Police, for example, recently arrested a suspected drug dealer believed to be from Punjab and seized heroin valued at around Rs 80 crore. The case illustrates how networks connected to Punjab can extend far beyond the state.
Punjab Police have also been involved in counter-terror and drug-related operations. In another recent operation, Amritsar Rural Police recovered a 690-gram improvised explosive device and an electronic detonator while allegedly foiling a terror plot targeting a police establishment.
The government’s challenge is to demonstrate that enforcement is producing sustained results rather than temporary reductions in supply.
There is also growing recognition that addiction cannot be addressed through policing alone. The Tribune has reported a new initiative under which young people who have recovered from drug addiction or mental-health problems are expected to play a role in monitoring de-addiction and wellness centres. The proposal is significant because it attempts to bring people with lived experience into the policy process.
The sports initiative forms part of the same broader approach. The government wants sporting activities to provide young people with alternatives and opportunities while also strengthening Punjab’s sporting culture.
However, critics are likely to ask whether sports programmes and rehabilitation measures are sufficient without stronger action against major trafficking networks. The drug economy involves suppliers, financiers, intermediaries and interstate connections, meaning that action against street-level dealers alone cannot eliminate the problem.
Political opponents have also made drugs a major issue. The BJP has increasingly made law and order and narcotics a central part of its political message in Punjab, promising tougher action against drug dealers and criminal networks.
The ruling AAP government, meanwhile, has sought to present its approach as broader than that of previous administrations, combining enforcement with prevention and rehabilitation.
The real test will be measurable outcomes: fewer young people developing addictions, better recovery rates, reduced availability of narcotics and successful prosecution of major trafficking networks.
Punjab’s drug crisis has persisted across successive governments, making it difficult for any political party to claim that the problem can be solved quickly. The current emphasis on sport, rehabilitation and community involvement may broaden the response, but sustained enforcement and long-term social intervention will remain necessary.
