Children's future should not depend on drugs, but on opportunities: Justice Surya Kant

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Surya Kant, said on Saturday that the increasing trend of drug addiction among children and adolescents cannot be dismissed as a mere health issue and considering it as an important issue of child protection, priority should be given to education, confidence and self-esteem along with devising systems for their sensitive and all-round development.
Addressing a program on 'Childhood Beyond Drugs: Protection, Care and Reintegration' at the Bihar Lok Bhavan today at the 'Pataliputra Pragya Prava' lecture, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said that a child addicted to drugs should not be seen as just his problem or fault. It is the responsibility of the society and the system to understand the circumstances behind it and give it a chance to return to a normal life.
Citing a recent Lancet study, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court said that at least one in every five young people in India is at medium to high risk of drug addiction. This situation highlights the need to seriously consider the safety of children and their future.
Justice Surya Kant said that the fight against addiction cannot be limited to making laws or taking action. Awareness, education, better family environment and timely support are equally important to prevent children from turning to drug addiction. The society has to ensure that no child under the influence of drugs loses their future.
Justice Surya Kant said that a 'child-sensitive' approach has to be adopted for children suffering from drug addiction. The goal of treatment and rehabilitation should not only be to rid the child of addiction, but also to protect his physical and mental health as well as his dignity and self-esteem. He said that the real meaning of rehabilitation is to create conditions in which the child can relive the childhood he is entitled to - education, relationships, play, confidence and hope for a better future beyond the current difficulties. He emphasized the need for better coordination between family, school, society, judicial system and government in this direction. The main message of his address was that instead of isolating the drug-affected child from the society, efforts should be made to bring him back into the mainstream of society with protection and support.
Earlier, Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (retd) Syed Atta Hasnain introduced the topic and highlighted the collective responsibility of the society for the safe, healthy and bright future of children. The theme of the program was about saving children from drug addiction and bringing them back to normal life through protection, care and rehabilitation. Governor Hasnain was sworn in as the Governor of Bihar on 14 March 2026. According to Bihar Lok Bhavan official information, he has nearly 4 decades of experience in the Indian Army and is also known for his writing and public debates on strategic and security issues.
Various aspects related to child rights, freedom from addiction, rehabilitation and social rehabilitation were considered in the programme. Through 'Pataliputra Pragya Prava', an attempt is being made to carry forward the tradition of discussion on such topics.
Patna High Court Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao, Bihar Chief Secretary Pratya Amrit, Governor's Additional Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar Singh and many senior officers and dignitaries from the judicial and administrative sectors were present in the programme.