PM urges young generation to say ‘No to drugs’ for healthy life, happy family

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the ‘Campaign for Drugs Free India’, organised by the Art of Living Foundation, through video message. The message was played at an event at Guru Jambeshwar University at Hisar on February 19, 2019.

In the address, the Prime Minister complimented the efforts of Sri Sri RaviShankar and the Art of Living Foundation for their contribution towards tackling the drug menace in the country. Terming drugs as a great menace to society, the Prime Minister said that as per WHO estimates, over three crore people around the world are suffering from drug addiction. The Prime Minister said that it is alarming to see many youngsters getting addicted to substance abuse. “Drugs are not cool. It is a big misconception that drugs are a style statement,” PM Modi said.

The PM said that in addition to the health problems and destruction of families due to substance abuse, narcotics trade is a great threat to the safety and security of the country.  He added that narcotics trade is one of the biggest sources of income for terrorists and anti-national elements and the money sourced by these elements through drugs trade is used to destabilise the nation.

He urged the young generation to say ‘No to Drugs’ for a healthy life, a happy family, a better future and for the safety and security of the nation. He said that those having self-confidence and self-belief will not easily fall prey to drugs use. Only through conversations, counselling and continued love and support, we can bring those under addiction to the path of rehabilitation, PM Modi added.

The Prime Minister highlighted the various initiatives taken by the Union Government to curb the menace of drug addiction. In this context, he mentioned about the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction, initiated in 2018, which focuses on awareness generation, capacity building, rehabilitation and specific intervention in vulnerable areas to ensure drug demand reduction by 2023. Students from colleges all across the country, listened to the Prime Minister’s address through video conference, according to a PIB release.