Wars on drugs and inspiration from Assam

What is striking is that the Chief Minister himself drove a bulldozer over the confiscated illegal drugs.

NewsBharati    07-Jun-2022 10:59:08 AM   
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The drug menace is a serious concern for almost all states in India. But what is unfortunate is that the concerned government authorities are seemingly “unconcerned”. Society will have to pay a heavy price for that. Well, what does one have to say if young people as tender as 12/13 years are addicted to the deadly drugs? Is it not the fault of the authorities in power? Are the parents of the addicts equipped themselves to crack down on the callous drug dealers and peddlers who destroy the lives of their kids? No, absolutely not. Whose job is this if not police and narcotic departments? Why are we so “silent” while the underhand drug business is “thriving” more than ever before? Drug cartels and peddlers are expanding their network with a vengeance in almost every city and town. Do we know the new brigand of peddlers are all out to pounce upon the new breed of buyers – that could be your children and my children? Why is the government machinery so complacent? This laid-back attitude is indeed detrimental.
 

Wars on drugs and inspiration from Assam  

One child specialist – Dr. Mehta from Rohini, New Delhi laments --- “innumerable youngsters in schools and colleges are ruining their lives. They are completely addicted to various intoxicants. These day certain bad companions always entice the gullible others to try with various kinds of addictive drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, hashish, ecstasy et al. This is how one falls prey to drugs which has become a serious threat to countless households.”

True, in high places the elites of corporate houses, entertainment celebrities and models have succumbed to the temptation the various expensive intoxicants. These celebrities are directly or indirectly misleading the new generation. The sensational suicide case of film star Sushant Singh Rajput exposed the underbellies of Bollywood. Very importantly, as reported, rampant cases of thefts, robberies, burglaries, and muggings in various cities, towns and villages have direct links with the increase in drug abuse.

Incidentally, many distraught parents whom this writer met with now say with a deep sense of regret that if the Assam government can tackle the drug malaise head-on why can’t other states in India. They are absolutely right! The Chief Minister of Assam himself had roared out the “pledge” to drive the final nail in the coffin of the drug dealers. Given the increasing vices, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma never held himself back. He gave full power to the police forces, the intelligence and narcotic agencies to deal with the evil mongers.

Wars on drugs and inspiration from Assam  

What is striking is that the Chief Minister himself drove a bulldozer over the confiscated illegal drugs. At places, he burnt the drugs to ashes. The police departments are on toe round the clock. Is it not commendable? Lakhs of parents have showered blessings upon Dr. Himanta Sarma for his unprecedented move. In fact, it was well-intended to save the “youths and the society from disaster.”

It is high time that all states in India should emulate what Assam has done. The Chief Minister of Manipur has also recently followed suit and is determined to fight the drug menace. Many women organisations have come forward to support CM Shri Biren Singh. A state, before setting out the plan, must constitute a high-power committee to help coordinate and monitor the execution. Some changes in the narcotic rules and regulations are also imperative. We should not at all be soft on any forces that contribute to ruining the lives of young children. The police force should be given full powers without political interference.

What is clear here is that in haste we cannot fight the menace entrenched in society. We need to put concerted efforts as recently rightly pointed out by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma. All NGOs and the concerned stakeholders must stand together and support the respective governments of the states. It’s everyone’s duty. The vices have penetrated the deep recess of society. Hope this time the government’s promises of “Nasha Mukt Bharat” will not go up in smoke.

Drugs Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma
Salil Gewali

Salil Gewali

A Shillong-based writer and researcher Salil Gewali is a member of the International Organization of Journalists (IOJ), and has written 17 books including school textbooks. His books have also been recommended as textbooks by the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) besides the front-ranking private schools in the Northeast. Gewali is best known for his excellent publication of his research-based work of over twenty-four years entitled ‘Great Minds on India’. This book on Indian wisdom has been edited by a former NASA scientist Dr. A V Murali, Houston, USA, and translated into twelve languages including German.  

Apart from being appreciated worldwide, ‘Great Minds on India’ was formally launched by the Governors and the Education Ministers of Maharashtra, Gujarat; Governors of Meghalaya and West Bengal and the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.

Gewali’s ‘GREAT MINDS ON INDIA’ will be instrumental in raising the PRIDE and DIGNITY of the nation from a global perspective. It immensely contributes to create the right awareness about the “higher truths” about the literary wisdom and scientific knowledge of ancient India which never failed to mesmerize the top intellectuals of the WEST such as -- Voltaire, Fredrich Hegel, Arthur Schopenhauer, Ralph Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Albert Einstein, Julius Robert Oppenheimer (father of atomic bomb), Werner Heisenberg, Niels Bohr, Erwin Schrodinger, TS Eliot, Mark Twain, to name a few.