Creation of a drug-free society is possible only through social participation: Social Justice Minister Kushwaha

Bhopal: Social Justice and Disabled Welfare Minister Shri Narayan Singh Kushwaha said that drug addiction is a social evil. A drug-free society can be created only through social participation. Minister Shri Kushwaha was addressing the state-level closing ceremony of the Drug Free India Campaign organized in the auditorium of the Social Justice and Disabled Empowerment Department on the occasion of International Drug Prevention Day on 26 June. Minister Shri Kushwaha said that the creation of a drug-free India will be an important link in realizing the dream of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to make India a world leader in 2047. The state government, along with the Government of India, is running awareness programs at every level to create a drug-free society. He said that drug addiction is not only a personal evil but also a social evil. Therefore, the goal of a drug-free society cannot be achieved without social participation and activism.

Minister Shri Kushwaha said that the Social Justice Disabled Empowerment Department is running a drug de-addiction awareness campaign in the state from June 1 to June 26, 2025. In this, awareness programs are being conducted in schools and colleges through local, district administration along with voluntary organizations. Under the campaign, awareness campaigns for drivers, section and district level meetings are being organized through the police administration, oath taking ceremonies, cultural programs with the message of de-addiction are being organized in schools and colleges. Minister Shri Kushwaha said that a special campaign should be run to make the students of class 10th to 12th aware of the ill effects of drug addiction, he also suggested organizing an essay competition on the evils and ill effects of drug addiction in schools. Under this campaign, the National Drug De-addiction Helpline Number 14446 should also be widely publicized.

Principal Secretary Shri Raghuraj M.R. said that all those who are working for de-addiction deserve congratulations. This is the work of building the society. He said that water can stay in a pot only when there is no hole inside that pot. Similarly, for a healthy society it is necessary that there should be no hole in the form of addiction in it. Deputy Secretary Ms. Ankita Dhakare presented the progress report of the drug de-addiction campaign run from June 1 to June 26, 2025. In the program, representatives of organizations working in the field of drug de-addiction were honored and were administered the oath of not taking drugs. On this occasion, DIG MP Police Narcotics Wing Mr. Sanjeev Kanchan, Dr. Nalini Gaur along with other dignitaries and representatives of various social organizations were present.