Barnala forms panel to sensitise youths about drug menace, to help addicts

Nirmal Singh Thikriwala, a government school teacher, said, “At least five youngsters, aged 17-21 years, have died in the village in the past one year. We know they were into drugs but their parents denied it, saying their children died of a heart attack. We can understand the social taboo, but we can’t run away from the reality.

Hence, to save our children who are into drugs, we decided to make them aware of the menace of drugs. We will also encourage the parents to talk about drugs with their children to save them. We have identified a few children and will help them in their treatment and rehabilitation.”

Barnala district treasury officer and Thikriwala resident Balwant Bhullar said, “Keeping aside our political affiliations, we have decided to come together on this issue. Our village has a population of over 10,000 and if a villager is found supplying drugs, he will face a social boycott unanimously. But we are here to help the addicts.

At the village gurdwara, we have placed some boxes. Anyone who wants our help or has relevant information can drop a chit.” “Five persons who died in our village were into drugs. But records show ailments like heart attack, anxiety, etc.’ as reasons for their deaths. Police won’t do anything as there is nothing on record, but we need to stay alert,” Bhullar said.

The former sarpanch said, “Most of the parents refuse to accept that their children are into drugs. Hence, the actual death figures due to drug overdose are not known. These are the social taboos, we understand.”
Thikriwala Gurdwara Management Committee president Jagsir Singh said they would make daily announcements, asking people to stay away from drugs.

“The anti-drug committee will also hire an e-rickshaw to make public announcements on loudspeaker in the village,” he said. Nirmal Singh said, “We will put up posters in the village asking people to stay alert and warning drug suppliers and even asking people to contact us if they need any help. Many can’t even afford the expenses of treatment at de-addiction centres.”

Villagers said they would also take the help of the local police.

Barnala SSP Sandeep Malik said, “We have village defence committees which act on specific information. We will meet villagers and discuss with them about their initiative. We want to work in coordination with them.” He however said that they have got no intimation about any drug death in that village, however he will send his team in the village to talk to the villagers.