Punjab’s drug problem is no longer merely a social evil; it has become a grave public-health and administrative emergency that is consuming the state’s youth, families and future. Reports of young people dying from drug use are emerging from Khudian, reportedly the ancestral village of the Agriculture Minister, as well as from many other parts of Punjab. If reports that approximately twenty-five drug-affected young people have died in Khudian are accurate, this is not merely a village tragedy; it is a shameful warning to the entire Punjab administration.
The government must immediately make public the official verification of these figures, an impartial investigation into the causes of death and the testimonies of the affected families. Yet even while awaiting official confirmation, the painful reality that countless Punjabi households are being destroyed by drugs cannot be ignored. Mothers are carrying the bodies of their sons, fathers are sinking into debt, sisters and wives are being left helpless, and children are being pushed into an uncertain future.
The question is this: if drugs are so deeply entrenched even in the constituencies and home areas of ministers and governments, where is the government’s “Drug-Free Punjab” campaign? Is it limited to advertisements, speeches and political claims? If drug dealers are operating openly and young people continue to die, who will hold the police, administration and political system accountable?
The fight against drugs cannot be won merely by arresting drug-dependent young people. Real action must be taken against the traffickers, suppliers, officials who provide protection and political patrons who profit from this illegal trade. Sending low-level users to prison while protecting major traffickers is a betrayal of Punjab.
The government should publish a transparent district-wise record of drug-related deaths. Every suspected death should require a magisterial inquiry, a post-mortem examination and a toxicology report. Along with increasing the number of treatment centres, the government must monitor their quality, medicines, doctors and rehabilitation services. Simply distributing de-addiction certificates does not make a young person free from addiction.
Families should be supported rather than blamed. Drug addiction is simultaneously a disease, a social crisis and part of a criminal network. Therefore, treatment, psychological support, employment, education and law enforcement must be pursued together. Without a plan to help young people find employment and regain dignity in society after treatment, the risk of relapse will remain high.
Public complaints about the availability of drugs in Punjab’s villages must be taken seriously. Every village should have a confidential complaint mechanism, police accountability, anti-drug committees and regular public hearings. If drugs are being sold continuously or deaths are occurring repeatedly within a police-station jurisdiction, the performance of the responsible officers must be investigated.
Political parties must also avoid turning this issue into a weapon for trading accusations. Drugs have not harmed the voters of only one party; they have harmed all of Punjab. Regardless of which party is in power, the government cannot escape accountability. The opposition’s role is not limited to issuing statements; it must also challenge the government with facts and present concrete policies for solutions.
The truth about the reported deaths in Khudian must come to light. If the number is incorrect, the government should release clear facts. If it is accurate, immediate action must be taken against those responsible. Silence, denial or concealment of data will not solve the problem.
Disclaimer: This article and accompanying images are for informational and illustrative purposes only. Some visuals may be AI-generated or digitally enhanced and may not depict actual events or persons.Views expressed are based on publicly available information and analysis