Dehradun, Tuesday: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while addressing the state-level event marking the fifth anniversary of the Drug-Free India Campaign, urged the youth to take a firm stand against drug abuse and inspire their peers to do the same.
The program was organized at the Chief Servant House located in the Chief Minister’s Camp Office. Congratulating everyone involved in the campaign’s journey, the Chief Minister said that with the support of those leading the fight against drugs, society is now better equipped to tackle this menace. He warned that drug addiction is not just a bad habit but a dangerous threat that corrodes an individual’s mental strength, decision-making power, and future prospects.
Calling drug addiction a “silent war” affecting the youth globally, the Chief Minister highlighted that the younger generation is the foundation of the country’s future — driving innovation, progress, and development. He cautioned that any negative influence on this energy could slow down the nation’s development.
Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a drug-free India from the Red Fort in 2020, CM Dhami said the campaign has now evolved into a mass movement across the country. He emphasized that under the Prime Minister’s vision, Uttarakhand is working in mission mode to achieve the goal of a drug-free state.
The Chief Minister informed that a three-tier Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) was constituted in 2022 to crack down on drug trafficking. In the last three years, the ANTF has arrested over 6,000 individuals and seized illegal substances worth more than ₹200 crore.
To rehabilitate and reintegrate drug addicts, the state government is strengthening de-addiction facilities in every district. Currently, four Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCA) are operational in the state, offering comprehensive treatment, counseling, and rehabilitation services. Additionally, an Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) is functional with the support of AIIMS Rishikesh.
CM Dhami also mentioned that anti-drug committees have been set up in educational institutions across districts, comprising students, parents, teachers, and administrators. To further elevate awareness, Uttarakhand’s traditional “Aipan” art has been incorporated into the campaign, with anti-drug messages now prominently displayed in public spaces and schools through this art form. The state has also formed “Dagadiya Clubs” to channel the potential of the youth toward constructive activities and away from drug temptation.
During the event, the Chief Minister administered the oath of the Drug-Free India Campaign to the youth and felicitated the winners of statewide essay and speech competitions held in schools and colleges.
The program was attended by Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, MLA Savita Kapoor, Uttarakhand OBC Commission Chairman Sanjay Negi, Social Welfare Secretary Dr. Sridhar Babu Adyanki, Additional Director General of Police Dr. V. Murugesan, Social Welfare Director Dr. Sandeep Tiwari, and other dignitaries.
