Health Dept-BSF launch anti-drug drive at Hussainiwala Border; Villagers urged to stay vigilant
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepur, April 16, 2025: An awareness seminar was organised today under the Punjab Government’s ongoing campaign "War Against Drugs" at the barrier checkpoint of the Hussainiwala Border. The event was a joint initiative by the 155th Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Health Department, under the guidance of Civil Surgeon Dr. Rajwinder Kaur.
Village heads, panchayat members, and a large number of residents from nearby border villages actively participated in the seminar.
Addressing the gathering, Assistant Commandant Mahesh Verma of the BSF's 155th Battalion cautioned that enemies are using drones to drop drug consignments in Indian fields near the border, targeting Punjab’s youth in particular. He urged farmers and villagers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects immediately to the BSF, emphasising that only collective efforts can defeat the drug menace.
District Mass Media Officer Sanjeev Sharma from the Health Department stressed the urgent need for awareness, warning that if action is not taken now, future generations will suffer the consequences. He highlighted the crucial role panchayats play in this battle and called for community-wide support to tackle this growing challenge.
Dy MMO Ankush Bhandari informed the attendees that the Ferozepur district has 19 OST (Opioid Substitution Therapy) centres and a de-addiction centre at the Civil Hospital, offering free treatment and medication to those willing to quit drugs.
Present on the occasion were BSF Inspector Sarvesh Kumar, Block Educator Aman Camboz, Health Inspector Amarjit Singh, and several village heads, including Punjab Singh, Gurbachan Singh, Malkit Singh, and Sukhwinder Singh.