Haryana to launch statewide anti-drug campaign, district task forces to lead awareness drive

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced a new statewide campaign to fight drug abuse and make Haryana a drug-free state. The campaign will be launched under the Haryana Uday initiative and will focus on creating public awareness, increasing community participation and strengthening coordination between government departments and local organisations.

Speaking at an interaction with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and representatives of chemist associations in Panchkula, the Chief Minister said that the fight against drugs cannot be won by the government alone. He stressed that every section of society has an important role to play in protecting young people from drug addiction.

During the event, Saini also administered an anti-drug pledge to participants and urged everyone to actively support the campaign. He appealed to social organisations, educational institutions, local leaders and citizens to work together to spread awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.

The government believes that public participation and community support will be the key to making the campaign successful across the state.

Awareness campaign to reach every community

The Haryana government plans to take the anti-drug campaign to every district, village and town through a wide public awareness programme.

Chief Minister Saini said social organisations should help turn the campaign into a people's movement instead of treating it as only a government programme.

He encouraged NGOs and volunteers to organise awareness activities in villages, urban wards and local neighbourhoods.

According to him, young people should be the main focus of these efforts because they are often the most vulnerable to drug abuse.

He asked organisations to visit schools, colleges and sports grounds to educate students and young people about the harmful effects of drugs.

The campaign will include discussions, awareness programmes, community meetings and educational activities aimed at helping young people understand the physical, mental and social dangers of drug addiction.

The Chief Minister said early awareness can prevent many young people from becoming involved with drugs.

He also appealed to parents, teachers, coaches and community leaders to remain alert and support children by encouraging healthy lifestyles and positive activities.

Apart from educational institutions, awareness programmes are expected to reach local communities through meetings, public events and social campaigns.

The government hopes that involving local residents will strengthen the message and encourage more people to participate in efforts against drug abuse.

District task forces to strengthen action

To improve coordination at the local level, the Haryana government has announced the formation of district and local-level task forces.

These task forces will work closely with government departments, local bodies and community organisations to support anti-drug activities.

According to the Chief Minister, each task force will include Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), Block Development and Panchayat Officers (BDPOs), village sarpanches and representatives from NGOs that are already working on anti-drug programmes.

The purpose of these teams will be to ensure better planning, stronger coordination and effective implementation of awareness campaigns across Haryana.

The government believes that involving local officials and community representatives will help identify problems early and improve outreach at the grassroots level.

Saini also addressed chemist associations during the meeting.

He urged pharmacists and medicine shop owners to act responsibly while selling medicines that could potentially be misused as narcotic substances.

He asked chemists to follow all legal rules carefully and remain alert to prevent medicines from being used for illegal purposes.

According to the Chief Minister, responsible behaviour by medicine sellers is an important part of preventing drug abuse.

He emphasised that reducing drug addiction requires cooperation from every section of society, including government agencies, healthcare professionals, educational institutions, social organisations and ordinary citizens.

Saini said that the government's goal is not only to control the supply of drugs but also to reduce demand by educating people about their harmful effects.

He added that awareness, prevention and community support are just as important as law enforcement.

The Haryana Uday initiative aims to encourage greater public participation in social development programmes, and the anti-drug campaign will become one of its major focus areas.

Officials believe that creating awareness among young people and strengthening cooperation between government departments and local communities can help reduce drug abuse over time.

The Chief Minister urged everyone present at the event to become ambassadors of the campaign by spreading the message within their families, neighbourhoods and workplaces.

He said that making Haryana drug-free is a shared responsibility and can only be achieved if citizens actively participate alongside the government.

With the launch of the new campaign, Haryana hopes to build stronger community support, improve awareness at the grassroots level and create a healthier and safer future for the state's youth. The success of the initiative will depend on continuous public participation, responsible action by all stakeholders and sustained efforts to educate people about the dangers of drug addiction.