Chandigarh, July 10: After announcing free treatment for poor drug addicts at all state-run de-addiction centres, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday urged the police not to harass addicts or their families in any way. 

On Monday, after facing criticism for ordering a dope test on all government servants, Singh clarified that the workers found positive in the test would not be sacked or punished. He said the employees would be given treatment and their identities will be kept confidential.

The chief minister also said the government will pay for the treatment of drug addicts who cannot afford it. The Punjab Chief Minister also ordered various steps to be taken for further augmenting the government’s efforts to ensure strict enforcement of the drug laws, as well as better systems for prevention, de-addiction and rehabilitation, according to an official spokesman.

Earlier, the Punjab government had ordered a mandatory dope test on all its employees including police officials. The decision attracted criticism from government employees, who have accused the ruling dispensation of targeting them.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2018 09:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).