Addressing the “Dialogue with NGOs and Chemist Associations for a Drug-Free Haryana” programme in Panchkula under the ‘Haryana Uday’ campaign, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh on Saturday said that drug abuse was not merely a law-and-order challenge but a social, cultural, and national issue that required collective action. He also administered an anti-drug pledge to participants.
“The government can make laws and the police can act against criminals, but a permanent solution is possible only when society itself stands united against this menace,” the Chief Minister said, urging voluntary organisations, chemists, educational institutions and citizens to transform the anti-drug campaign into a mass movement.
Saini announced that district and local-level task forces would be constituted to strengthen community policing and public participation. These committees will comprise Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), Block Development and Panchayat Officers (BDPOs), village sarpanches and representatives of NGOs to coordinate awareness drives and anti-drug initiatives at the grassroots level.
Calling drug addiction a social evil, Saini said it destroys not only an individual’s health but also families, social values and the nation’s future. “India has the world’s youngest population, and Haryana’s youth have excelled in sports, education, science and industry. If they fall prey to drugs, it is not just an individual’s loss but a setback for society,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the government’s strategy focuses not only on arresting drug peddlers but also on reducing the demand for narcotics through awareness, rehabilitation and community participation.
He said strict action was already being taken against those involved in the drug trade. “Properties of drug traffickers have been seized, and illegal constructions raised through drug money have been demolished,” he said, reiterating the government’s zero-tolerance policy.
Appealing to social organisations, Saini urged them to reach every village, ward and locality to educate young people about the dangers of drug abuse. Instead of alienating addicts, society should help them return to normal life through counselling, trust and rehabilitation, he said.
“It is not right to label anyone a lifelong drug addict. Every individual deserves an opportunity to rebuild his or her life if provided with the right environment and support,” he said.
Highlighting the role of chemists, the Chief Minister said pharmacists were custodians not only of medicines but also of public trust. He urged them to exercise utmost caution while dispensing medicines that could potentially be misused and ensure that restricted drugs do not fall into the wrong hands.
Representatives of chemist associations and voluntary organisations suggested stricter monitoring of online prescriptions and tighter regulation across the pharmaceutical supply chain to prevent the diversion of medicines for abuse. Saini assured them that all practical suggestions in the public interest would be examined and implemented.
Referring to the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, digital technology and startups, Saini said the country’s youth were leading India’s development through innovation and entrepreneurship. “If a young person turns to drugs, the nation loses a potential scientist, athlete, entrepreneur or innovator,” he said, stressing that every young life was precious.
The Chief Minister also appealed to parents to spend more time with their children, communicate openly and build stronger family bonds. “Children need trust and conversation more than mobile phones. Families remain secure when parents become friends to their children,” he said.
Concluding his address, Saini urged citizens to actively support the campaign by reporting drug trafficking to the police, the Haryana NCB Helpline, or the Manas portal. “The fight against drugs is not the government’s responsibility alone. It is a collective responsibility of society. Together, we can build a healthy, safe, and drug-free Haryana,” he said.
