Juggernautjatt
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The Indian Army has started dope tests at recruitment rallies in Punjab in the wake of massive drug abuse across the state, which is a fertile catchment area for the armed forces.
Passing a stringent physical fitness test is one of the primary requirements for becoming a recruit in the Army. With the growing menace of drugs in Punjab, the Army started the practice of obtaining random samples from those who undertake fitness tests at recruitment rallies. The tests are carried out to detect the use of banned substances.
So far, such tests are being conducted only in the Punjab, one of the 11 recruiting zones across the country. The Army has not shared information about the number of candidates who tested positive for narcotics.
The Army recruits around 60,000-70,000 people every year and Punjab is among the prominent centres. Punjab also has the highest average drug abuse among youths. Punjab's drug abuse rate at 51.6 per cent is much higher than the national average of 2.8 per cent.
Apart from drug abuse, Punjab is notorious for drug peddling with two of its cities emerging among the country's top drug hubs. The state also has the dubious distinction of having the highest number of people booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Last year saw the busting of a major scam with the arrest of synthetic drug racket kingpin Jagdish Bhola, who alleged that some top politicians were involved in the illicit drug trade.
Army sources said the drug tests started only six months ago and only two recruitment rallies had been covered till now. The Army draws people on the basis of recruitable male population ratio which varies from state to state. Punjab sends around 3,500 men to the Army every year.
Army begins dope tests for recruits in drug-hit Punjab : India, News - India Today
Army steps up dope testing at recruitment rallies in Punjab - The Times of India
Passing a stringent physical fitness test is one of the primary requirements for becoming a recruit in the Army. With the growing menace of drugs in Punjab, the Army started the practice of obtaining random samples from those who undertake fitness tests at recruitment rallies. The tests are carried out to detect the use of banned substances.
So far, such tests are being conducted only in the Punjab, one of the 11 recruiting zones across the country. The Army has not shared information about the number of candidates who tested positive for narcotics.
The Army recruits around 60,000-70,000 people every year and Punjab is among the prominent centres. Punjab also has the highest average drug abuse among youths. Punjab's drug abuse rate at 51.6 per cent is much higher than the national average of 2.8 per cent.
Apart from drug abuse, Punjab is notorious for drug peddling with two of its cities emerging among the country's top drug hubs. The state also has the dubious distinction of having the highest number of people booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Last year saw the busting of a major scam with the arrest of synthetic drug racket kingpin Jagdish Bhola, who alleged that some top politicians were involved in the illicit drug trade.
Army sources said the drug tests started only six months ago and only two recruitment rallies had been covered till now. The Army draws people on the basis of recruitable male population ratio which varies from state to state. Punjab sends around 3,500 men to the Army every year.
Army begins dope tests for recruits in drug-hit Punjab : India, News - India Today
Army steps up dope testing at recruitment rallies in Punjab - The Times of India
