London, UK, October 28 , Binder Singh Khudi Kalan / Kanwar Partap Singh / Tajeemnoor Kaur -Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, attended the 10th anniversary event of the UK-based ‘Sikh Recovery Network’, an organisation working to help people affected by substance addiction recover and reintegrate into mainstream society. The event was held at the UK Parliament.

Various speakers and individuals who had overcome addiction and returned to mainstream life shared their experiences and highlighted the need and importance of such initiatives.

During the event, Mool Mantar was recited in memory of Bhai Parminder Singh, who was martyred while fighting against drug abuse in Mansa, Punjab. Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj offered prayers for justice in his murder case and for the well-being and high spirit of Punjab’s youth. The gathering also paid tribute and appreciated Bhai Parminder Singh’s struggle against drugs.

Addressing the gathering, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj appreciated the work of the Sikh Recovery Network and said discussions would be held on how its initiatives could be jointly implemented in Punjab to tackle the drug problem. He said the organisation was doing significant work to improve the lives of families affected by addiction.

He observed that overcoming addiction required strong determination and commitment. While returning to mainstream life after falling into the trap of substance abuse was extremely difficult, the Sikh Recovery Network’s approach had produced encouraging and effective results.

The Jathedar said people suffering from addiction should not be viewed as solely responsible for their condition, as bad company also played a major role. They needed support, compassion and an embrace of love to help them recover. He added that preventing the availability of drugs could stop many people from taking this path in the first place.

He expressed concern over the devastating impact of alcohol, synthetic drugs such as chitta (a commonly used term for heroin in Punjab) and the misuse of medical drugs. Addiction not only harms individuals but also causes immense suffering to their families, whose members often live under constant stress and face serious difficulties.

Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said one of the objectives of the Miri-Piri Khalsa March in Punjab was to motivate young people to give up drugs. During the march, hundreds of young people struggling with addiction approached him and expressed their desire to quit. However, they faced difficulties because governments had failed to effectively curb drug sales, while Punjab lacked a concrete programme to support those seeking recovery.

He invited the Sikh Recovery Network to visit Punjab, work with affected people and develop a structured programme to help them overcome addiction.

The Jathedar said drug de-addiction centres existed in Punjab but had not delivered satisfactory results. He criticised the practice of treating addiction by placing young people on substitute pills, describing it as an inappropriate approach that did not offer a lasting solution.

Appreciating the Network’s recovery programmes, the Jathedar said those who had overcome addiction through its efforts had received the blessings of the Guru and had developed inner strength and mental resilience.

Describing drug addiction as a global problem, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said the Sikh Gurus had prohibited the use of intoxicants among Sikhs and people across the world. He said this teaching was also enshrined in Gurbani, whose message was universal. By connecting with Sikh teachings and the Gurbani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and strengthening their willpower, people could overcome the scourge of addiction.

He said such initiatives were like lamps illuminating the lives of people in distress and bringing hope to others. He also described drug peddlers as enemies of society and called for their identification and social boycott.

During the visit to the UK Parliament, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj also met Lord Kuldip Singh Sahota and discussed few issues with him.

Among those present at the event were UK MPs Gurinder Singh Josan from Smethwick, Preet Kaur Gill from Birmingham, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi from Slough and Sonia Kumar from Dudley. Sikh Recovery Network founder Jaswinder Singh Rai, executive board members Tarsem Singh, Kamaldeep Singh Samra and Onkar Singh, Sukhdeep Singh Randhawa, and Jaskaran Singh, Media Adviser at the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, were also present.