Punjab grapples with drug crisis as children bear the cost

Punjab remains locked in a battle against drug addiction, a challenge that has persisted despite repeated political commitments to address it. The crisis continues to exact a heavy toll on the state's younger generation, with children and adolescents increasingly affected by substance abuse.

The issue has re-emerged as a focal point of political discourse in the state, yet ground-level interventions remain inadequate. Experts and social workers point to the need for comprehensive rehabilitation programs, stricter enforcement, and sustained government focus to tackle the deep-rooted problem.