Advertisement belies government ban on opium / ਅਫੀਮ ਉੱਪਰ ਇਸ਼ਤਿਹਾਰ ਨੇ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਝੂਠਾ ਪਾਇਆ

There is a startling advertisement in today's Punjabi newspaper, Rozana Spokesman, which belies not only the government but also the generally held medical claims. Given on page 3 of the newspaper, the advertisement claims that opium ("afeem" or "khaskhas") is the medicine to a lot of diseases in the world, including diabetes, hypertension, paralysis and heart disease and its cultivation should be allowed. The advertisement has purportedly been released by one, Balkar Singh Dhillon, President of Samaj Bachao Mission Committee of Tarn Taran and it also gives his telephone numbers. He claims that it is due to the ban on opium, which had been consumed for ages, that other drugs like heroin and cocaine and also other synthetic drugs started being popular. He has advocated cultivation of opium in small quantities (five plants), which he claims, is not illegal.

Incidentally, this open advertisement goes against the very grain of the anti-drug campaign being launched by the Punjab Government. Only two days ago, the Rajasthan Government had banned the sale of poppy husk and opium in the state. Perhaps the State Health Department should ask this gentleman for the medical evidence that he has in support of his claims. It may be pertinent to mention that some countries and states in USA do allow sale of marijuana (cannabis). What is the medical view on this? After ascertaining this, the Government should make a clear statement on the issue and also frame certain guidelines for such advertisements in newspapers and on television.