Media Urged to Use Its Reach to Protect Youth from Substance Abuse
Published on: August 23, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
Strict action against drug trafficking must go hand in hand with sustained public awareness to effectively tackle the growing challenge of substance abuse in Chhattisgarh, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Superintendent Anil Kumar said at a media interaction held in Rajnandgaon.
The programme was organised by the Press Information Bureau, Raipur, under the “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat – Sankalp” campaign. Addressing journalists, Kumar stressed that the fight against drugs cannot remain limited to enforcement agencies alone. Along with curbing the illegal supply of narcotic substances, reducing demand through awareness and community participation is equally important.
Supply Control and Demand Reduction Need to Go Together
Kumar said the NCB’s strategy focuses on both supply reduction and demand reduction. Various Central and State agencies are working in coordination through enforcement measures as well as awareness programmes.
He said special attention must be given to protecting young people from the harmful effects of substance abuse. Schools, colleges and public places across Chhattisgarh are being covered through awareness activities aimed at educating people about the consequences of drug addiction.
Media Can Play a Decisive Role
Highlighting the reach of newspapers, television, digital platforms and social media, the NCB official urged journalists to use these platforms effectively to communicate the health, family and social consequences of drug abuse.
He called upon media organisations to create a positive environment for awareness against addiction and to present information in simple, factual and responsible language. According to him, collective participation by families, educational institutions, social organisations and the media is essential to keep young people away from drugs.
Journalism Should Become a Tool for Social Awareness
Journalist Priyanka Kaushal said the fight against substance abuse must be transformed into a sustained social movement by connecting journalism with social responsibility and public awareness.
She said journalists can use their writing and communication platforms to highlight the real-life consequences of addiction and encourage behavioural change. Merely repeating messages asking people to quit drugs may not be enough; reporting should also examine the social reasons behind addiction and highlight the experiences of affected families and people who have successfully overcome substance abuse.
Kaushal described drug initiation among children and young people as a serious challenge and stressed that protecting children cannot be the responsibility of families alone. Society, media organisations and responsible citizens must collectively contribute.
Need to Challenge the Glorification of Drugs
Kaushal also highlighted the need to challenge the portrayal of substance use as a way to overcome stress, sadness or personal problems in films, songs and social behaviour.
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She said the media should bring greater attention to the long-term health, family and social consequences of addiction and help create an informed public discourse around the issue.
Senior Journalists and Academics Share Views
Sabera Sanket editor Sushil Kothari and Dainik Dawa editor Deepak Buddhadev also shared their views during the programme. Professor Shankar Muni Rai, Head of the Hindi Department at Digvijay College, spoke about the social responsibility of journalism and urged journalists to report fearlessly against injustice, corruption and social problems.
NCB Zonal Director Ravi Joshi, Nandgaon Times editor Ashok Kumar Pandey and senior journalist Purushottam Tiwari were also present on the dais.
The speakers emphasised that an effective campaign against substance abuse requires coordinated efforts involving government agencies, media, educational institutions, social organisations and families. Journalists were urged to connect their professional work with the broader public awareness campaign and contribute towards building a drug-free Chhattisgarh.
