PM Modi launches 100-week anti-drug campaign, appeals to youths for cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva Bharat Abhiyan', a 100-week nationwide campaign against drugs. He appealed to every citizen of the country, especially the youth, to play an active role in building a drug-free India and realizing the vision of a developed nation.

Addressing the inaugural event through video conferencing, the Prime Minister said that to achieve the goal of a developed India, it is essential to have a healthy, confident, and empowered youth that stays away from the curse of drugs. PM Modi said, "Today, as the country has set a goal to become a developed nation, it is necessary that our youth are physically fit, mentally strong, full of self-confidence, and always stay away from the deadly habit of drugs."

Terming drug abuse as a challenge that needs to be tackled collectively, the Prime Minister emphasized that societal participation is as important as government efforts. He said that yoga, meditation, and social cooperation provide inner strength to any individual to overcome addiction. He further said, "Today we also have rehabilitation centers to help people quit drugs."

PM Modi said that the country's priority should be to save every youth from getting trapped in the web of drugs, while showing compassion and support to those affected by the addiction. The Prime Minister said, "We have to save every youth from getting trapped in the quagmire of drugs. But if a youth has unfortunately become a victim of drugs, it does not mean that all doors are closed for them."

He emphasized on families not to hide cases of drug abuse due to fear of social prestige and honor, but instead seek timely medical help. PM Modi said, "If a child in a family has become a victim of drug addiction, we should never hide this fact in the name of social prestige. Get the help that is needed. Seek medical help and make every possible effort to save your child from this addiction."

The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of open discussions within families and said that parents should create an environment where children can openly talk about their problems before they get inclined towards drug abuse. He said, "We should promote a culture of open conversation with children in our families so that before they get into any bad habit, we can hold their hands."

Making a special appeal to the educational community, PM Modi asked professors and educational institutions to make drug awareness an essential part of campus life. He said, "I also want to appeal to my professors in colleges and universities. Along with teaching the curriculum, talk to students about the dangers of drugs. Start a movement against drug abuse in your campuses. Your efforts can yield significant results."

The Prime Minister emphasized on every citizen, especially the youth, to join this movement and termed it a public campaign aimed at bringing about sustainable social change. With this launch, a 100-week nationwide 'Jan Bhagidari' campaign against drugs has begun, under which awareness and social participation activities will be organized every Sunday across the country. The objective of this initiative is to motivate the youth to stay away from drugs and also encourage them to become ambassadors of positive social change in their societies.

According to the government, the campaign will include a wide range of activities, including sports competitions, walking marathons, meditation sessions, cultural programs, awareness campaigns, street plays, discussion forums, art competitions, and community outreach initiatives, all designed to promote a drug-free society.

The objective of this initiative is to bring educational institutions, youth organizations, civil society groups, industrial institutions, and spiritual organizations together on a common platform to strengthen community participation and create a sustainable nationwide movement against drug abuse.

Over 10,000 locations from across the country participated in the inaugural program. Youths from 'My Bharat' and National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, youth clubs, schools, colleges, universities, non-governmental organizations, industrial organizations' youth wings, and over 125 partner spiritual organizations participated virtually in the event, which marks the beginning of a nationwide public movement by the government to save India's youth from the dangers of drugs.