Raksha Khadse Launches Call for United Fight Against Drug Abuse in NE

Shillong: Central Minister Raksha Khadse on Thursday appealed to civil society, educational institutions and youth organisations in the Northeast to treat the rising menace of drug addiction as a social emergency requiring coordinated, round-the-clock action. Speaking at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong during a special outreach programme organised under the ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’ banner, she said the region’s future hinges on keeping its young population away from narcotics. The minister underlined that addiction cannot be tackled by law-enforcement agencies alone. Instead, families, schools, sports clubs and faith-based groups must work in tandem to create protective ecosystems around young people. She asked all 24 participating organisations to replicate best practices already working in states such as Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh, where community sports leagues and cultural festivals have sharply reduced substance abuse. Khadse also drew attention to the psychological pressures faced by students and unemployed youth. Regular participation in sports and cultural activities, she argued, builds self-esteem and provides healthy outlets for stress, thereby lowering the temptation to experiment with drugs. The minister directed officials to map every district in the Northeast for existing sports infrastructure and to fast-track new facilities where gaps exist. Prof Nalini Prabha Tripathi, Director of IIM Shillong, said the institute’s curriculum now integrates mental-wellness modules with physical education, ensuring that future managers understand the link between personal health and professional productivity. The programme ended with participants signing a declaration committing themselves to sustained anti-drug advocacy in their respective districts.