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Podcast sheds light on pharmaceutical drug abuse, interstate trafficking, and digital tactics used by traffickers; next edition to focus on rehabilitation and de-addiction efforts.
Thenewsdose.com
Chandigarh, July 21,UPDATED:1.50PM
In a pioneering step toward strengthening public engagement in the fight against narcotics, the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) has launched a first-of-its-kind podcast series to provide citizens with unfiltered insights from the frontline of anti-drug enforcement.
The series, spearheaded by Director General O P Singh, aims to serve as a bridge between the public and police, offering narratives directly from field operatives tackling the growing drug menace in Haryana. Through candid conversations, the Bureau seeks to humanize the enforcement effort, shed light on emerging challenges, and generate awareness about the state’s evolving anti-narcotics strategy.
Focus on Pharmaceutical Drug Abuse and Interstate Trafficking
In the latest episode, DGP O P Singh hosted two deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) from the Bureau to discuss two of the most pressing issues currently confronting Haryana’s anti-drug mission — the rising misuse of pharmaceutical drugs and codeine-based syrups, and the increasingly complex web of interstate drug trafficking.
“Pharmaceutical opioids and syrups are being misused as cheaper alternatives to traditional narcotics,” Singh said. “This shift has created a new challenge, as these substances are often legally manufactured but illegally diverted and consumed.”
The officers explained how Haryana’s strategic geographical position — sharing borders with several states and lying on a key drug transit corridor — makes it particularly vulnerable to cross-border trafficking. They also pointed to sophisticated methods adopted by traffickers, including use of digital payment systems, SIM box frauds, and fake identities, to avoid detection and prosecution.
‘Truth from Ground Zero’
Calling the podcast a “paradigm shift” in citizen-police engagement, O P Singh said the series offers people a direct window into the realities of policing — unfiltered by studio debates or media headlines.
“There is no better way to gain public confidence than to speak directly, truthfully, and transparently,” he said. “These podcasts allow people to hear from those who are not just in uniform, but in the thick of action. What they say is truth from ground zero.”
He added that the initiative is also intended to boost the morale of field officers, whose work often remains unseen. “By giving them a voice, we reinforce the idea that every link in the enforcement chain matters — and that the responsibility is not just to the department, but to the people of Haryana.”
Next Edition to Focus on Rehabilitation
While enforcement is a critical component of the anti-drug campaign, Singh stressed that the Bureau’s approach is holistic. The upcoming edition of the podcast will spotlight the work of officers involved in rehabilitation and de-addiction initiatives, offering a broader 360-degree perspective of the mission — from crackdowns to care.
“This is not just a law-and-order issue. It’s a social crisis,” Singh said. “We must not only stop the supply but also heal the demand.”
Government Commitment to Curb Drug Menace
The podcast series comes shortly after Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini chaired a high-level meeting on July 10, where he directed police officials to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards drug abuse. He called for tight surveillance, swift prosecution, and regular reviews of drug-related FIRs at police stations.
Saini reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting Haryana’s youth from the scourge of addiction and stressed the need for a coordinated and multi-agency campaign across the state.
The HSNCB podcast reflects this vision by combining enforcement insights with community outreach and public education, underlining the state’s determination to fight drugs not just in the shadows, but in the open — with society as an active stakeholder.
