Drug abuse needs legal action, awareness, counselling, rehabilitation: Telangana Governor Shukla
Nizamabad, Aug 25 (TNT): Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Tuesday said tackling drug abuse required a combination of stringent legal action, sustained awareness, counselling and rehabilitation, coupled with collective efforts by youth, families, educational institutions and communities.
Addressing an Anti-Drug Awareness Programme organised at the Bhoomareddy Convention Centre here under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, Shukla stressed the need to prevent the availability of narcotic and other harmful substances in and around educational institutions and expand treatment, counselling and rehabilitation services for those affected by drug abuse.
The Governor urged young people to stay away from narcotic substances and channel their energy towards education, sports, skill development, innovation and nation-building, saying a healthy youth population was essential for building a strong society.
He said the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was evolving into a broad-based people’s movement.
Shukla appreciated the Telangana government’s EAGLE initiative and police efforts to curb drug abuse and welcomed the establishment of anti-drug committees and Prahari Clubs in educational institutions.
“The energy, talent and dreams of our youth are the greatest assets of the nation. Under no circumstances should they be sacrificed to drugs,” he said.
Recalling Swami Vivekananda’s call to “Arise, awake and stop not until the goal is reached”, the Governor urged youngsters to develop determination and self-discipline and resist curiosity or momentary attraction towards substance abuse.
He appealed to students not to abandon friends who may be moving towards substance abuse, but support and guide them towards the right path.
The slogan ‘No to drugs, Yes to life’ should become a personal commitment for every young person rather than remain merely a slogan, Shukla said.
He called upon parents and teachers to maintain continuous communication with children and interact with them with trust, affection and understanding.
Recalling his experience of witnessing public participation in anti-drug initiatives during his tenure as Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shukla said social problems could be addressed effectively when young people, families, educational institutions and local communities worked together.
He also recalled the drug-free life pledge administered to students at an event at LB Stadium in Hyderabad on June 19 as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Jan Andolan in Telangana, in the presence of the Chief Minister and members of the State Cabinet.
The Governor urged all sections of society to work together to build a drug-free Telangana and a drug-free India, saying a healthy youth population would contribute to realising the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Nizamabad BJP MP Dharmapuri Arvind said drug abuse could lead to complete destruction and urged students and young people to stay away from narcotic substances.
Earlier, the Governor unveiled an anti-drug awareness flexi carrying one lakh signatures and administered the Nasha Mukt Bharat pledge to students and youngsters.
He also felicitated winners of essay-writing and elocution competitions organised under the campaign.
Governor’s Special Chief Secretary M Dana Kishore, Nizamabad Mayor Uma Rani, Nizamabad Urban MLA Dhanpal Suryanarayana Gupta, Armur MLA P Rakesh Reddy, Nizamabad District Collector Bhavesh Mishra and Nizamabad Police Commissioner P Sai Chaitanya were among those present.
TNT TS
