Vice President Calls for Collective Action to Build Drug-Free India
Bengaluru, June 28 (TNT): Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday called upon educational institutions, families, healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies and civil society to work together to build a Nasha Mukt Bharat, saying the fight against substance abuse must begin with individuals and evolve into a nationwide movement.
Addressing the Nasha Mukt Bharat Conclave, organised by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) in association with the Narcotics Control Bureau and Disha Bodh Foundation during the University’s 31st Foundation Day celebrations here, Radhakrishnan said substance abuse poses a serious threat not only to individual health but also to education, productivity, social cohesion and national development.
Congratulating RGUHS on its Foundation Day, the Vice President praised the institution for its contribution to health education, research and public health, and for producing generations of healthcare professionals dedicated to serving the nation.
Expressing happiness over the large number of students who took a pledge to make Bengaluru, Karnataka and eventually India drug-free, he said a Nasha Mukt Bharat is not merely about the absence of drugs but about promoting healthy choices, informed decisions, supportive families and resilient communities.
Stressing that individuals must retain complete control over their minds, Radhakrishnan said addiction deprives people of control over their own lives and every young life lost to substance abuse represents a loss of national potential.
He urged students, particularly future doctors, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, researchers and public health professionals, to become ambassadors of awareness and play a leading role in prevention, treatment, research and evidence-based policymaking to combat substance abuse.
The Vice President called for greater research in addiction medicine, mental health, behavioural sciences and community-based interventions, emphasising that evidence should guide action and research must inform policy.
He also underlined the need to leverage technology, counselling services and peer support networks to address substance use disorders.
Highlighting his emphasis on drug-free educational institutions, Radhakrishnan said that as Chancellor of three Central Universities, he has consistently advocated drug-free campuses.
Referring to the Drug-Free Campus Campaign and e-pledge platform launched at the University of Delhi earlier this year, he expressed satisfaction that the initiative had helped create a drug-free campus environment.
On the occasion, the Vice President administered polio vaccine drops to infants as part of the National Pulse Polio Drive in Karnataka and honoured former Vice-Chancellors of RGUHS for their contributions to the University’s growth and development.
Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice (Retd.) Syed Abdul Nazeer, Karnataka Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharan Prakash R. Patil, Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader Fareed, RGUHS Vice-Chancellor Dr. Bhagavan and other dignitaries were present.
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