Addicts not demons

INDIA aspires to be drug-free (‘Nasha Mukt’) by 2047. A lot of things must fall into place for the nation to come anywhere near achieving that lofty target. An attitudinal change, in particular, can make a big difference on the ground. The Supreme Court has rightly observed that demonising victims of drug abuse is a wrong approach — the focus should be on rehabilitating them. Various stakeholders — Central and state governments, civil society, families, educational institutions — should pay heed to the suggestion of holding frank discussions to tackle this scourge. The drug users have to be brought out of the shadows. Otherwise, stigma and ostracisation will make them sink deeper into the mire.

At stake is the nation’s future as the youth are most vulnerable to the lure of substance abuse. Handling young addicts with sensitivity and compassion can make them see reason. In any case, they are only the small fry. The big fish are the drug traders and traffickers who are part of a thriving international network. They have to be targeted incessantly by the law enforcement agencies. This is especially true for Punjab, which is bearing the brunt of cross-border narcotic smuggling. The state, which was rocked by a spate of drug overdose deaths earlier this year, is struggling to combat the menace.

The initiative to involve mothers and sisters of youngsters in the battle against drugs is praiseworthy. The emotional support of family members can prevent many juveniles from going astray. The recent murder of a Barnala sarpanch, who reportedly took a firm stand against drug dealers, shows that the noble path is fraught with dangerous consequences. However, such an incident should not deter people from holding firm. Nothing less than a mass movement can stem the rot.