Drug menace reached alarming proportions in Punjab

Drug menace in Punjab reached alarming proportions in 2014, even becoming a key poll issue and engaged the Opposition Congress and the SAD-BJP government in a bitter war of words throughout the year.
While Congress accused the SAD-BJP government of indulging in "patronising drug suppliers", the ruling dispensation rejected these charges, vowing to eliminate drug abuse from the state.
How serious the drug problem in the state can be gauged from the fact that drugs, liquor and other narcotics worth Rs 800 crore were seized from Punjab by poll authorities ahead of Lok Sabha polls.
Narendra Modi in his first election rally at Pathankot in April spoke of the drugs problem, saying the country's enemies now resorted to "narco terrorism" route as part of their nefarious designs to destroy youth.

"Every mother, especially every mother of Punjab is worried that her son may get addicted," he had then said referring to the drug menace in the state.
Modi had even promised voters to put a lid on the drugs being pushed into Indian territory from across the border if BJP-led government came at the Centre.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi took on SAD-BJP led regime, charging the Akali regime with indulging in illegal activities including drug smuggling, sand mining etc.
She further accused the Punjab government of failing in curbing "growing drug" menace in state, saying drugs were destroying youth in the state.

Facing "vitriolic" attack from several quarters on drug issue, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal announced the launch of an elaborate anti-drug drive and crackdown against the drug abuse.
Simultaneously, the state government also announced massive programme of drug de-addiction in the state and free medicines to drug-addicted youths in these centres.
As part of measures to control flow of drugs, a 'Punjab State Narcotics Control Bureau' was also set up which was headed by Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Badal promised to take action against any politician involved in drug trade.
Senior Akali leader and state minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur had to even resign on moral grounds when his son's name figured in drug trade in May.

Alliance partner BJP said drug menace, among other issues such as property tax, VAT refund, rising prices of sand and gravel in the state was a reason that led to SAD-BJP's "below expectation" Lok Sabha results in Punjab.