Punjab Govt removes curbs on sale of syringes

Facing criticism and opposition from different sections, including by its own Minister, the Punjab Government on Monday decided to annul “ban” on the sale of syringes without prescription.

In fact, the State Government has denied issuing such orders, saying that the Deputy Commissioners imposed the ban on their own.

Instead, the Government has come up with detailed guidelines on the sale of syringes which will be issued to all the Deputy Commissioners.

The decision to revoke ban was taken up during the high level review meeting, chaired by the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday, on the government’s anti-drug campaign. The decision came after the state’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra had dubbed the ban as a “step taken in haste” and urged the Chief Minister to have such decisions rescinded immediately.

It has been learnt that to check the sale of syringes, the Government has now directed the Deputy Commissioners to ask the chemists’ owners to prepare an inventory of syringes and maintain a record regarding their sale, its buyers, and quantity, among others.

In its fight against drugs, nearly a dozen of Deputy Commissioners including that of Mohali, and Bathinda, had issued orders prohibiting the sale and purchase of syringes and disposable injections without prescription from licensed doctors in their districts — a decision opposed by the health experts saying that it would only further complex the problem.

The experts maintained that the ban on syringes was no solution and it would only fuel the problem as the addicts would share the needles exposing them to the danger of HIV, Hepatitis, which will further complex the situation.

Notably, after the ban, there are reports that the people, who want the syringes, are ordering them online and getting their supply.

GOVT TO GIVE JOBS TO DE-ADDICTED YOUTH

In its attempt to pull the drug addicted youngsters towards the de-addictions centres across the state, the Punjab Government on Monday announced to provide jobs to them as a part of their rehabilitation.

“The Punjab government will give employment to the youth who will shun drugs after going through rehabilitation,” announced the state health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra, speaking with the media on the sideline of a function held at Government Mata Kaushalya Hospital in Patiala.

Mohindra said that the government is contemplating to propose government or private jobs for such youth, and “the government will soon come out with a concrete plan on the issue”.