Calling for a collective mass movement to combat drug abuse, Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu on Sunday urged the people of Tripura to actively participate in the campaign against narcotics, saying that the fight against drugs is not merely a government initiative but a shared responsibility of society.

Addressing the gathering during the virtual inauguration programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’ at the Conference Hall of the Academic Building of Tripura University, the Governor appealed to parents, teachers, community leaders and youths to play their respective roles in creating a drug-free society.

“Parents should educate their children about the harmful effects of drug abuse, teachers must guide students towards the right path, and community leaders should become role models through their actions,” the Governor said. He also urged the youth to say “no” to drugs and motivate their peers to take the same pledge.

The programme was organised jointly by MY Bharat and Tripura University. During the event, Governor Nallu administered the pledge for a drug-free India to the participants.

Highlighting the initiatives of the Central Government, the Governor said that several effective steps have been taken since 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue of drug addiction. He said the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the nodal ministry for reducing drug demand, has been implementing the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), focusing on prevention, awareness, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation of drug users.

He further stated that the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), launched on August 15, 2020, has expanded from 272 identified drug-prone districts to all districts across the country.

The Governor said the campaign rests on three key pillars — controlling the supply of narcotics through the Narcotics Control Bureau, creating awareness and outreach activities through the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and ensuring treatment and rehabilitation through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Expressing concern over Tripura’s vulnerability due to its geographical location and international border, Governor Nallu said illegal drug trafficking remains a serious challenge for the state. He warned that drug networks are targeting the youth, causing severe damage to their health, families and social lives.

He stressed that coordinated efforts by the Central and State Governments, educational institutions, civil society organisations and citizens are essential to eliminate the menace of drugs.

Tripura University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Debabrata Das, Special Secretary of the Social Welfare and Social Education Department Tapan Kumar Das, West Tripura District Magistrate Dr. Bishal Kumar, MY Bharat Tripura Director Mehboob Alam Laskar, MY Bharat volunteers, faculty members, students and other dignitaries attended the programme.