New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind said on Tuesday that increase in the menace of drug trafficking and drug abuse in border areas is associated with terrorism and political unrest and stressed on the
need for more vigilance in border states like Punjab and Manipur.
He said India's geographical location between Myanmar-Laos-Thailand's Golden Triangle' and Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan's Golden Crescent' makes the problem of drug abuse and illicit trafficking even more acute and complicated.
"Increase in drug trafficking and drug abuse in border areas is also associated with issues of terrorism and political unrest. That is why there is a need to be more vigilant in border states like Punjab and Manipur," he said.
Kovind was speaking after presenting the national awards for outstanding services in the field of prevention of alcoholism and substance abuse on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The president said drug addiction and alcoholism negatively impacts the individual, family and society in multiple domains such as health, culture, development and politics.
Drug addiction spurs poverty and also poses a challenge to national security as well as development and public welfare goals, he said.
Kovind said misuse of illegal drugs is creating health challenges especially for the young generation and school going children and stressed that the problem of drug abuse can be solved by awareness, prevention, incentives, and support efforts.
In these efforts compassion and sympathy for drug addicts is also necessary, he said and added that parents, teachers, doctors and voluntary organizations should be associated in the medical and rehabilitation efforts.
He noted the steps taken by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in this direction.