Himachal Governor Kavinder Gupta calls for mass social movement against drug abuse; says youth must be protected to build developed India
Shimla, July 1
Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta on Wednesday called for a united social movement against drug abuse, saying that protecting the country's youth from addiction is essential for achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.
The Governor was speaking to the media after attending the anti-drug awareness programme 'ELEVATE Experience the Real High: A Step Towards Drug-Free Bharat', organised by Anuvrat Vishva Bharati Society at Lok Bhawan in Shimla. The campaign aimed to raise awareness among young people about the harmful effects of substance abuse and strengthen the movement towards a drug-free India.
During the programme, Governor Gupta honoured individuals for their outstanding contribution to the fight against drug abuse and released a booklet on drug awareness. The organisers also highlighted the society's ongoing initiatives to combat substance abuse through public awareness and community participation.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor described the campaign as a commendable initiative and said that if such efforts are effectively implemented at the grassroots level, Himachal Pradesh can make significant progress towards becoming a drug-free state.
He stressed that the youth are the nation's greatest asset and protecting them from the menace of drugs is a shared responsibility of society.
Emphasising the role of educational institutions, the Governor said teachers have a crucial responsibility in shaping the character of students. Besides imparting education, they should regularly counsel children and guide them as members of their own families to prevent them from falling prey to addiction.
Expressing concern over changing social dynamics, Gupta said the decline of joint family systems and the rise of nuclear families have contributed to increasing loneliness, stress, depression and substance abuse among young people. He urged families and communities to strengthen communication with children to address these challenges effectively.
The Governor also appealed to all sections of society to work collectively against drug abuse, describing it as a social evil that requires sustained community participation.
"The fight against drug abuse cannot be won by the government alone. It has to become a people's mission. Every section of society, especially teachers, parents and social organisations, must work together to protect our youth from addiction. If we want India to become a developed nation by 2047, safeguarding our young generation from drugs is our collective responsibility," said Gupta.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative but actions speak louder than words. We've seen many such programs come and go. What we need is strict implementation of NDPS Act and actual rehabilitation centers in every district. Also, why is there no mention of Bollywood glorifying substance use in movies? Our film industry normalizes drugs and then we wonder why youth get influenced. 😤
I appreciate the governor's call but the problem is much deeper. In our village near Mandi, even school kids are getting hooked on cheap synthetic drugs smuggled from across the border. The police know about it but there's no action. Social movement alone won't work without cutting off the supply chain. Need better border surveillance and stricter punishment for peddlers.
The 'ELEVATE' program sounds promising. But I wonder why the government spends crores on such events but there's hardly any budget for actual rehabilitation. My cousin struggled with addiction and the nearest de-addiction center was 200 km away. We need these facilities at tehsil level, not just in Shimla. Good intentions are welcome but where's the implementation roadmap?
I'm a teacher in a government school in Bilaspur and I can tell you the situation is alarming. Kids as young as 14 are experimenting with inhalants and pills. Governor sahab is right about teachers' role but we need training too. Most of us don't know how to identify early signs of addiction or how to counsel children without alienating them. Also, parents need to wake up and stop being in denial. ⚠️
It's nice to see dignitaries talking
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.