It is wrong to boycott drug-addicted youth or their families: Deepak Sanan

The forum urged the government to convene a meeting of the Drug Prevention Board

The Himachal Forum Against Drug Abuse has urged the Governor and the Chief Minister of the state to convene a meeting of the Drug De-addiction Board soon so that a unified strategy can be formulated on the issue and minimum standards can be fixed so that the campaign against drugs can be taken forward in the right direction.
Forum President Deepak Sanan stated that while the drug crisis is undoubtedly profound and social concern is justified, addressing it without a scientific understanding could set back the entire campaign. He emphasized the need for an integrated and coordinated campaign against drug abuse.
He said that socially boycotting youth involved in drug abuse is not appropriate. He also wondered if our system, our entire system, our social fabric is so weak that we don’t know who is involved in the drug trade and business in our own villages, panchayats, and surrounding areas. Where and how the supply is coming from, and how it is reaching remote villages.
State Secretary of Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Satyawan Pundir, and Technical Associate Vijay Kumar praised the state government’s efforts to make the state drug-free. They said that the government has a positive approach to drug eradication, but those campaigning for it lack coordination and a clear understanding of the issue. They said that many organizations are resorting to social boycotts of drug users and their families and offering rewards for their capture, which is completely unjustified and acceptable. The forum expressed concern that setting reward amounts or boycotting those involved is being used merely as a means to gain popularity.