Itanagar, Jul 30: State Governor Lt Gen (Retd) KT Parnaik on Thursday called for a "whole-of-government and whole-of-society" approach to eradicate substance abuse, urging all stakeholders to work collectively towards building a Nasha Mukt Yuva and transforming the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign into a nationwide people's movement for a Viksit Bharat@2047.
Addressing a virtual conference on "Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat" organised by Lok Bhavan, Itanagar, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the Governor said educational institutions, families, healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies and civil society must work together to combat drug abuse, which he described as a major threat to individual well-being and national development.
He stated that a Nasha Mukt Bharat is not merely about the absence of drugs, but about promoting healthy choices, informed decisions, supportive families and resilient communities. “When drugs take control of the mind, one loses control over life itself, which destroys not only the person but also his family,” Parnaik remarked.
“The youth of the nation are its greatest strength and most valuable asset,” the Governor said, stressing that substance abuse undermines health, education, productivity, social harmony and the country’s future.
Highlighting the need for a comprehensive strategy, Parnaik advocated preventive awareness campaigns, technology-driven monitoring, improved rehabilitation services and skill development programmes to help recovered individuals reintegrate into society with dignity.
The Governor proposed five key interventions to strengthen the anti-drug campaign: Establish Anti-Drug Cells and counselling mechanisms in every university to create drug-free campuses; set up district-level Anti-Drug Task Forces and early warning systems; promote sports and youth engagement as a powerful anti-drug movement; strengthen community-based counselling, rehabilitation and de-addiction networks; and launch a 'Nasha Mukt Tribal Youth Movement' through local languages, community participation and village-level volunteers.
The Governor also urged students, particularly those pursuing careers in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, psychology and public health, to become ambassadors of awareness and contribute to prevention, treatment, research and evidence-based policymaking.
Calling for greater research in addiction medicine, mental health and behavioural sciences, the Governor said scientific evidence must guide policies and interventions to effectively address the growing challenge of substance abuse.
Reaffirming his commitment as Chief Rector of Rajiv Gandhi University and Chancellor of Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat, the Governor said every campus must become a centre of awareness, every district a hub of prevention, every sports field a platform of hope and every village a fortress against substance abuse.
He concluded by urging all stakeholders to transform Nasha Mukt Bharat into a true ‘Jan Andolan’, contributing towards a healthier, stronger and developed India by 2047.