Illegal Drug De-Addiction Centre sealed in Faridkot; 7 youth rescued under ongoing anti-drug drive
Earlier six illegal centres were sealed
HARISH MONGA
Faridkot, April 21, 2025: As part of the Punjab Government’s special campaign “War Against Drugs,” the crackdown on unauthorized drug de-addiction centres in Faridkot district is in full swing. Acting under the directives of Deputy Commissioner Poonamdeep Kaur and led by Civil Surgeon Dr. Chandar Shekhar Kakkar, a joint team of the district administration, police, and health department today sealed an illegal drug de-addiction centre operating under the guise of an educational facility in Panjgrain Kalan village and rescued seven youth.
During the raid, the team rescued seven young individuals from the unauthorised centre and admitted them to a government-run de-addiction centre for treatment. This marks the sixth such illegal centre sealed in the district in recent weeks.
Providing more details, DC Poonamdeep Kaur stated that the campaign involves coordinated efforts of the district administration, health, and police departments. Today’s action was executed by a team including SMO Jaito Dr. Varinder Kumar, Naib Tehsildar Makhan Singh, and DSP Jaito Sukhdeep Singh. The team found that the illegal facility was being operated out of a rented house under the name "Gurmit Training" in Panjgrain Kalan.
Previously, similar illegal centres were sealed at various locations including - Ek Zariya Foundation Welfare Society, Sadik Road, Faridkot, New Life Youth Foundation Welfare Society, Village Golewala, Hope Youth Foundation, Chak Kalyan, An unauthorized centre on Arayiawala Road, Faridkot, and an illegal centre in Village Bhana. All patients from these facilities were shifted to official government de-addiction centres.
Civil Surgeon Dr. Chandar Shekhar Kakkar added that currently, the Faridkot district has two government 60-bed de-addiction centres, three private 25-bed centres, one 50-bed government rehabilitation centre, and one 30-bed private rehabilitation centre. Plans are underway to expand the total capacity by an additional 300 beds.
Dr. Kakkar urged families and individuals to seek treatment only from government or officially recognized de-addiction centres. He appealed to citizens to report any illegal rehab centres operating in villages or towns to the health or police department, so that immediate action can be taken.