Quitting drugs makes you a warrior: PM Modi launches national de-addiction drive

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a nationwide campaign aimed at making India's youth drug-free, asserting that young people who overcome addiction are "real warriors" and should be welcomed back into society without stigma.

Addressing the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan' virtually, Modi said drugs may offer a momentary high but lead to a low in family and professional life. He urged families not to hide addiction in the name of social prestige and instead seek expert help and foster open communication with children.

"Youth who come out fighting addiction are not weak; they are real warriors," he said. "Even if a youth has mistakenly fallen into the trap of addiction, it absolutely does not mean that all doors are closed for them. Society should respect them, embrace them and give them a second chance."

The campaign will run for the next 100 weeks, with activities every Sunday involving art, culture, sports, meditation, spirituality and service to spread the message of de-addiction. The event saw participation from chief ministers, governors, spiritual leaders and youth from across the country.

Modi stressed the importance of physical and mental fitness for achieving the goal of a developed India ('Viksit Bharat') and highlighted the role of yoga and meditation in building resilience. He also said families live with pain every day as they watch their children gradually lose themselves to addiction.

The Prime Minister asserted that strict action is being taken against drug traffickers, with arrests increasing severalfold and drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees seized. He also alleged that enemy countries use drug supply as part of their terror plans, knowing that youth are the future of the nation.

Substance abuse has been a long-standing concern in parts of the north-east and Punjab, where it is expected to be a major issue in elections due early next year. The campaign aims to address this by creating awareness and changing societal attitudes.

The initiative underscores a shift towards treating addiction as a health issue rather than a moral failing, with the focus on rehabilitation and reintegration of those who have overcome substance abuse.