April 01, 2026 02:29 pm (IST)
Follow us:
Need to make drug addicts productive members of society: Prez
New Delhi, June 26 (IBNS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday expressed concern over the growing alcoholism and drug abuse in India and said there is a need of focussed attention on making the addicts productive members of the society.
"The aim of the comprehensive treatment programme should not merely be to get the addicted individuals off alcohol or drugs. Focussed attention on making the addicts productive members of the society by making them drug free, crime free and gainfully employed, is what is required," Mukherjee said at the presentation of national awards for outstanding services in the field of prevention of alcoholism and substance (drugs) abuse on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
"In this connection, the importance of skill building and vocational training of drug dependent persons for their effective social and economic reintegration cannot be over emphasised. Generating continuous and sustained awareness through innovative methods about the harmful effects of drug abuse also assumes critical importance," he said.
Mukherjee said, "Alcoholism and drug abuse have become a major social concern. Today, the entire world is confronted with this problem in some form or the other. With India’s vulnerable geographical position between the two major drug producing zones -- the Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent, drug menace continues to spread its tentacles in the country, acquiring ever growing dimensions."
He said, while on the one hand, the use of drugs and alcohol is increasing, on the other hand, social taboos, emphasis on self-restraint, discipline inherent in a joint family system and traditional moorings are eroding.
"Among other factors, the fast changing social milieu arising out of this social and economic transition, which the country is going through, is contributing to the proliferation of drug abuse," Mukherjee noted.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Amit Shah to join Suvendu Adhikari on Bhabanipur nomination day; BJP plans mega roadshow
Wed, Apr 01 2026
Bengal SIR progress: 47 lakh of 60 lakh adjudicated cases disposed of, Supreme Court informed
Wed, Apr 01 2026
Indian Navy’s INS Trikand wraps up high-profile visit to Mozambique—Here’s why it matters
Tue, Mar 31 2026
‘Unsubstantial allegations’: Calcutta HC dismisses plea on ECI’s officer transfers in Bengal
Tue, Mar 31 2026
Tennis icon Leander Paes joins BJP ahead of Bengal polls
Tue, Mar 31 2026
8 killed, several injured in crowd crush at Bihar temple in Nalanda
Tue, Mar 31 2026