Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated that the drug menace is not merely a law-and-order challenge but a serious issue concerning society, family, culture, and nation-building. He remarked that while the government can curb the drug trade through legal measures and police action, a permanent solution is possible only when the entire society unites against it as a mass movement. During a program titled ‘Dialogue with NGOs and Chemist Associations for a Drug-Free Haryana’—organized in Panchkula under the ‘Haryana Uday’ campaign—the Chief Minister administered an anti-drug pledge to all attendees.
The Chief Minister emphasized that a drug-free Haryana is not just a social campaign but a strong foundation for a developed Haryana and a developed India. He noted that drug abuse weakens not only the individual but also their family, values, and society at large. India’s youth power is the country’s greatest asset, and if the youth fall prey to drugs, it would signify a defeat for the entire society. He also urged parents to spend more time with their children, foster better communication, and provide them with a positive environment.
Nayab Singh Saini stated that the government’s objective is not merely to arrest drug peddlers but also to eliminate the demand for drugs. To achieve this, task forces comprising SDMs, BDPOs, Sarpanchs, and NGO representatives will be constituted at the district and local levels to conduct awareness campaigns reaching every village and ward. He appealed to the public to report information regarding the drug trade to the police, the NCB Haryana helpline, and the ‘Manas’ portal.
During the event, representatives from chemist associations and various voluntary organizations offered suggestions to curb drug abuse. They argued that action against medicine sellers alone would not suffice; instead, strict monitoring must be ensured across the entire medicine supply chain, the online prescription system, and other potential sources. Acknowledging the vital role of social organizations and chemists, the Chief Minister stated that the goal of making Haryana drug-free can only be achieved through public participation.
