Drug-Free Fight Is a Collective Mission for India’s Future: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai, July 30: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday launched the ‘Drug Free Mumbai’ campaign at the Worli Dome, calling the fight against narcotics a collective mission to safeguard the nation’s future. He urged citizens to work together towards building a Drug-Free Mumbai, Drug-Free Maharashtra, and Drug-Free India, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’.

Addressing students, government officials, counsellors, NGOs, and citizens, the Chief Minister said the drug menace is not merely a law-and-order issue but a serious threat to India’s youth and national security. He warned that drugs are being used as a weapon to weaken the country from within and stressed that every citizen must actively participate in combating the menace.

Fadnavis announced that the state government would intensify action against drug manufacturing, trafficking, and peddling, particularly around schools and colleges. He also said that information provided by citizens about drug-related activities would remain confidential, and useful informants would be rewarded.

The Chief Minister said Maharashtra aims to achieve a Drug-Free Mumbai within the next two to four years through coordinated efforts involving police, health, education, social justice departments, parents, teachers, and students. He also announced that all schools and colleges would be encouraged to adopt ‘Drug-Free Campus’ and ‘Drug-Free School’ initiatives.

Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who chairs the high-level committee on the anti-drug awareness campaign, described the initiative as a people’s movement and appealed for active public participation. He also announced that the CM Mahadhan Skill Development Scheme would be launched from August 15, benefiting one lakh youth in its first phase through skill training and self-employment support.

During the event, over five lakh students, parents, and citizens from more than 4,000 schools and colleges joined the programme online. A training manual for counsellors was also released, while Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide read out Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message supporting the campaign.