Chandigarh, June 9— Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Monday said that enforcement alone would not suffice in tackling the drug menace in the state and urged for greater focus on job creation and public awareness to address the root causes driving youth toward narcotics.
“Mere implementation of the law and putting those involved in drug trade in jails will not be effective unless we provide employment to the youth,” Kataria told reporters after visiting a de-addiction centre.
He pointed to the financial lure of synthetic drugs as a major reason for their widespread use and supply in Punjab. “Earlier, intoxicants meant liquor, poppy husk, and opium. But now synthetic drugs have entered the scene — and they involve huge sums of money,” he said.
Kataria explained that wealthy drug lords enticed economically disadvantaged youth into the trade by offering them “thousands of rupees” to distribute intoxicants. “This money factor led to the spread of the drug menace,” he said, adding that the situation could only be reversed if employment avenues were expanded for young people.
The Governor also claimed that previous governments had failed to take tough action against major drug traffickers, but acknowledged that the current administration’s approach showed promise. “For the first time, action has been escalated against the big players — their properties are being seized or demolished. The government is doing a good job to eradicate the drug menace,” he said, referring to the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign.
Kataria further underscored the role of community participation, emphasizing that law enforcement alone cannot bring about lasting change. “Only efforts of the government cannot end this unless public awareness is created,” he said, adding that people must come forward to support rehabilitation and prevention efforts.
The Governor’s remarks echo growing calls from policymakers and civil society groups for multi-pronged solutions to the drug crisis in Punjab — a problem often described as a combination of economic vulnerability, organized crime, and social neglect.
