Governor Demands Urgent Mission Mode Campaign Against Growing Drug Abuse Among Vulnerable Youth

Shimla:  Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta has called for an aggressive, mission-mode campaign across the state to eradicate the escalating menace of substance abuse. Speaking at the launch of the "Elevate – Experience the Real High" anti-drug awareness initiative organized by the Anuvrat Vishwa Bharati Society at Lok Bhavan, the Governor underscored that protecting the state's youth from addiction is a shared socio-economic responsibility.

 Expressing deep concern over the vulnerability of younger populations, Governor Gupta noted that changing social landscapes, particularly the rise of nuclear families, have intensified isolation. "Increasing loneliness, academic stress, and depression are driving our youth toward toxic dependencies," he observed, emphasizing that stronger family support and open internal communication channels are essential to counter this behavioral drift.  

The Governor urged educational institutions, spiritual bodies, and parents to synchronize their efforts under a unified grassroots framework. He stressed that school teachers hold an indispensable role in early intervention and should actively counsel students to deter them from substance abuse.  Aligning the initiative with India’s broader national developmental targets, the Governor remarked that safeguarding the younger generation from narcotics is critical to achieving the "Viksit Bharat" vision.

He described the "Elevate" campaign as a vital community movement that inspires youth to seek fulfillment through disciplined hard work, creative talent, and social service rather than chemical dependency.  To mark the commencement of the statewide drive, which will systematically expand into all interior districts, the Governor released an educational booklet on drug prevention and honored local social workers for their outstanding contributions to rehabilitation awareness. He concluded with an appeal to citizens to reclaim the purity of the "Dev Bhoomi" (Land of the Gods) by establishing a completely drug-free society.