Chandigarh, Aug. 8 -- The Punjab Police has held 39,236 police-public meetings across the state since the launch of its 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign in March last year, as part of an intensified community outreach drive against drug abuse, DGP Gaurav Yadav said on Friday.

Of these, 10,605 meetings were held in schools, colleges and other educational institutions, while 3,303 sampark meetings were organised primarily for youth to raise awareness about substance abuse, prevention, de-addiction and rehabilitation. Another 25,328 meetings were held with village defence committees (VDCs) and ward defence committees in villages and urban areas.

"The fight against drugs cannot be won through enforcement alone," the DGP said, adding that citi...