The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal welcomes the Punjab government’s decision to initiate the second phase of its much-publicised campaign “Nashian Virudh Yudh” (War Against Drugs). The drug menace has devastated countless families across Punjab, and any serious, sustained effort to combat this crisis deserves public attention and support. However, as the government moves forward, it is equally important to assess what has been achieved so far honestly.
The first phase of Nashian Virudh Yudh was launched with strong promises, high visibility, and clear political messaging. The government assured the people of Punjab that major drug networks would be dismantled, supply chains broken, and youth protected through enforcement, rehabilitation, and awareness. Now that the second phase has begun, the people of Punjab have a legitimate right to know: what concrete outcomes did the first phase deliver?
Chahal strongly urges the Punjab government to declare and publish the achievements of the first phase officially. This should include verified data on arrests of major drug traffickers, convictions secured, quantity of narcotics seized, action taken against corrupt officials, expansion of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres, and measurable reductions, if any, in drug availability at the street level. Without such transparency, public confidence in the campaign risks weakening.
The fight against drugs cannot succeed on slogans alone. It requires accountability, consistency, and credible reporting. Declaring the results of the first phase will not only strengthen trust but also help experts, civil society, and law enforcement understand what strategies worked and what gaps remain. Lessons learned from the first phase must guide the second phase to ensure better outcomes.
Punjab’s youth are its greatest asset, yet they remain the most vulnerable victims of the drug crisis. Families continue to suffer, and communities continue to demand real change, not repeated announcements. The second phase of Nashian Virudh Yudh must therefore go beyond enforcement and focus equally on prevention, rehabilitation, employment opportunities, and long-term social reform.
Chahal reiterates its support for any genuine, non-political effort to eliminate drugs from Punjab. At the same time, we firmly believe that transparency and accountability are non-negotiable. Declaring the achievements and shortcomings of the first phase is not a criticism; it is a necessary step toward winning public trust and making the second phase more effective.The people of Punjab deserve clarity, honesty, and results. Only then can the war against drugs become a shared mission rather than a recurring announcement.