Anti-drug drive must begin at home: Zilla Sabhadhipati

Acting Sabhadhipati of the West Tripura Zilla Parishad Biswajit Shil on Saturday called for collective efforts to eradicate drug abuse, saying the fight against narcotics should begin at the household level.

He was speaking after attending Prime Minister Narendra Modi's virtual launch of the Nesha Mukta Sankalpa Abhiyan at Sakhicharan School here.

The programme formed part of the nationwide launch of the Centre's anti-drug campaign, with participants joining the Prime Minister's virtual address from different parts of the country.

Addressing the media persons, Shil said the campaign was aimed at building a drug-free society and supporting the country's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

"The Prime Minister has set a target that by 2047 our country will attain the status of a developed nation. In Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Saha has also called upon people to build a new and stronger Tripura by 2047, and work is underway in that direction," he said.

He said while governments at the Centre and in the state were implementing various development initiatives, drug addiction and substance abuse had emerged as a major challenge.

"A section of youngsters is falling prey to the drug menace. We have to ensure they are rescued and create an atmosphere where children do not feel attracted to such substances," Shil said.

He said the Centre and the Tripura government were working jointly to curb drug abuse and described the ongoing campaign against narcotics as a sustained effort requiring public participation.

"The Prime Minister is launching the Nesha Mukta Sankalpa Abhiyan. I appeal to everyone to join this movement and make people aware of the dire consequences that drugs can bring," he said.

Emphasising the role of families in tackling the problem, Shil said the campaign should begin at home before expanding to the community.

"To achieve the goal of a Nesha Mukta Tripura, we should start from our home. First, we have to ensure that our own house is drug-free, then focus on our locality. This is how we should gradually eradicate drug abuse in a layered manner," he said.

The programme was organised to enable participants to join the Prime Minister's virtual address marking the launch of the nationwide anti-drug campaign.