Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan has called for joint action by educational institutions, families, healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies and civil society to address substance abuse and build a Nasha Mukt Bharat.
He was speaking at the Nasha Mukt Bharat Conclave in Bengaluru, held during the 31st Foundation Day celebrations of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. The event was organised by RGUHS in association with the Narcotics Control Bureau and Disha Bodh Foundation at Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
Radhakrishnan said the fight against substance abuse should begin with individuals and expand into a wider national effort. He said drug abuse affects personal health and also harms education, productivity, social cohesion and national development.
Focus on students and campuses
The Vice-President congratulated RGUHS on its Foundation Day and praised the university’s work in health education, research and public health. He also referred to its role in producing healthcare professionals who serve in different parts of the country.
A large gathering of students attended the conclave and took a pledge linked to the goal of making Bengaluru, Karnataka and India drug-free. Radhakrishnan said a Nasha Mukt Bharat should be understood as a society where people make healthy choices, take informed decisions, receive support from families and live in resilient communities.
He said individuals must retain control over their own minds, adding that when drugs take control of the mind, a person loses control over life. He also said every young life lost to addiction is a loss of national potential.
Addressing students, especially those preparing to become doctors, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, researchers and public health professionals, he urged them to become ambassadors of awareness. He asked them to take part in prevention, treatment, research and evidence-based policymaking related to substance abuse.
Call for research and support systems
Radhakrishnan called for more research in addiction medicine, mental health, behavioural sciences and community-based interventions. He said evidence should guide action and research should inform policy.
He also spoke about using technology, counselling services and peer support networks to address substance use disorders. These measures, he said, can help strengthen prevention and treatment efforts, particularly in educational settings.
The Vice-President referred to his continued emphasis on drug-free educational institutions. As Chancellor of three Central Universities, he has advocated for drug-free campuses. He also mentioned the Drug-Free Campus Campaign and e-pledge platform launched at the University of Delhi earlier this year, saying the initiative has helped create a drug-free campus environment.
Polio drive and honours at RGUHS event
During the programme, the Vice-President administered polio vaccine drops to infants as part of the National Pulse Polio Drive in Karnataka.
He also honoured former Vice-Chancellors of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences for their contributions to the university’s growth over the years.
Several dignitaries were present at the event, including Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice (Retd.) Syed Abdul Nazeer, Karnataka Minister for Medical Education Dr. Sharan Prakash R. Patil, Karnataka Minister for Health and Family Welfare U.T. Khader Fareed, and RGUHS Vice-Chancellor Dr. Bhagavan.
The conclave combined the university’s Foundation Day observance with a public message on prevention of drug abuse. The Vice-President’s address placed responsibility on families, campuses, health workers and institutions to work together rather than treating addiction only as an individual problem.
Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India.