'Drugs may give you high, but they make your career low': PM Modi launches 100-week anti-drug drive

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan', a nationwide 100-week campaign aimed at encouraging young people to stay away from substance abuse through regular community participation and awareness activities.

Launching the initiative virtually in the presence of a large gathering of young people, Modi said the campaign would run for the next 100 Sundays, with activities across the country focusing on sports, culture, meditation, spirituality and community service to spread the message of a drug-free India.

"From today, the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan is being launched across the country. When this becomes a collective campaign, even those who are unable to do something on their own will receive new energy," the prime minister said.

"The resolve taken today will move forward in the same manner for the next 100 weeks. Every Sunday, activities related to art, culture, sports, meditation, spirituality and service will be organised. The message of de-addiction will reach new people. The coming 100 Sundays will mark 100 strong steps towards a drug-free India," he added.

The campaign aims to inspire young people to stay away from substance abuse and become ambassadors of positive social change in their communities. It also marks the beginning of a nationwide 'Jan Bhagidari' drive that seeks greater public participation in tackling drug abuse.

As part of the initiative, activities including sports events, walkathons, meditation sessions, cultural programmes, awareness campaigns, nukkad nataks, discussion forums, art competitions and community engagement programmes will be organised every Sunday across the country.

Calling on the country's youth to take a pledge against substance abuse, Modi said drugs may offer temporary pleasure but can have lasting consequences.

"Drugs can give you a high for some time, but it makes your entire career and personal life low," he said, adding that a developed India requires young people who are physically and mentally healthy and full of self-confidence.

He also urged families not to hide a child's addiction out of fear of social stigma, and instead seek expert and medical help while maintaining open communication.

The prime minister said recovering addicts should be treated with dignity rather than prejudice.

"Society should respect them, embrace them and give them a second chance," he said, describing those who overcome addiction as fighters.

Highlighting the government's efforts against drug trafficking, Modi said strict action is being taken across the country.

"The arrests have gone up several times as compared to before, and drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees have been seized. This shows how strongly our government is acting against drugs," he said.

Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mansukh Mandaviya, who was present at the launch, said the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was launched in 2020 in line with the prime minister's vision of building a drug-free India.

With PTI inputs