No one has the right to push our youth into addiction
Saints, khap panchayats and civil society join statewide movement against drug abuse
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Delivering a strong and unequivocal message against drug abuse, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini reaffirmed that the State Government is acting with complete seriousness under a zero-tolerance policy and will not spare anyone attempting to ruin the future of the youth. He made it clear that no individual has the right to push youth into addiction, and the harshest possible legal action is being taken against such anti-social elements.
Speaking during the ongoing Budget Session of the State Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said the government has adopted a coordinated inter-state strategy to curb drug abuse. A Joint Secretariat has been established comprising Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to strengthen coordination and intelligence sharing. Regular meetings of officers from these states are held, and the Haryana Police is targeting drug networks at their roots. Enforcement measures are continuously reviewed to ensure strict implementation, he said.
The Chief Minister said that under the guidance of the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, decisive steps are being taken to curb drug abuse and trafficking. The Central Government’s MANAS portal enables citizens to report drug-related activities confidentially. All information received through the portal is kept strictly confidential, and prompt action is taken on credible inputs, he said.
Emphasizing the broader social concern, the Chief Minister said youth are an invaluable asset of the state and the nation. If young people fall victim to drug abuse, the future of society is seriously affected. To counter this threat, the government has launched extensive public awareness campaigns across Haryana, he said.
The Chief Minister further said that cyclothons, district-level awareness camps and large-scale marathons are being organized regularly. He shared that district marathons witness participation of 25,000 to 30,000 youth. Recently, a major marathon held in Dabwali also saw thousands of young participants.
The Chief Minister said that to transform the campaign into a people’s movement, saints and spiritual leaders have been actively associated with the initiative to spread awareness about the harmful consequences of drug abuse through their discourses. Khap panchayats have also been involved in the campaign, particularly during cyclothons and other awareness drives, strengthening grassroots participation, shared Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
Reiterating the government’s firm resolve, the Chief Minister stated that properties of offenders have been attached, illegal constructions linked to drug activities have been demolished, and individuals and institutions involved in spreading drug abuse have been booked and sent to jail. Immediate action is taken wherever credible information is received to ensure the safety of the youth.
He urged all legislators and public representatives to rise above politics and actively support the anti-drug campaign. Cooperation in sharing information and assisting law enforcement agencies is essential to ensure effective action against drug traffickers, he said.