09-09-2026 : Collective Resolve, Dialogue and Community Participation Essential for a Drug-Free Society: Governor
Lok Bhavan Uttarakhand-Information Wing
Press Note
‘Ek Prayas, Nasha Mukt Ho Samaj’ Programme Held at Lok Bhavan
Experts Deliberate on the Harmful Effects of Substance Abuse and Measures for Prevention
‘Dehradun Declaration for a Drug-Free Uttarakhand’ Issued
Collective Resolve, Dialogue and Community Participation Essential for a Drug-Free Society: Governor
Lok Bhavan Dehradun 09 September, 2026
A programme titled ‘Ek Prayas, Nasha Mukt Ho Samaj’ (One Effort Towards a Drug-Free Society) was organised at Lok Bhavan on Wednesday under the Nasha Mukt Yuva–Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan. Governor of Uttarakhand, Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.), attended the programme as the Chief Guest. The programme aimed to create awareness among youth and students about the harmful effects of substance abuse and to ensure the active participation of educational institutions and communities in building a drug-free society.
The ‘Dehradun Declaration for a Drug-Free Uttarakhand’ was also issued during the programme. The declaration emphasises public participation and concrete action towards making Uttarakhand drug-free. It includes ten key commitments, including strengthening the role of families in keeping young people away from substance abuse, ensuring treatment and rehabilitation for persons affected by addiction, and increasing community participation. The declaration seeks to further strengthen efforts to make Uttarakhand drug-free by bringing together all sections of society.
A special discussion on ‘Building Addiction-Free and Empowered Educational Institutions’ was organised during the programme. The session was moderated by Mr. Anoop Nautiyal and featured Prof. Surekha Dangwal, Vice-Chancellor, Doon University; Mr. Lalit Joshi, Chairman, CIMS Group of Colleges and Sajag India; Prof. Sanjay Jasola, Vice-Chancellor, DBS Global University; and Dr. Vijay Dhasmana, Chairman, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun. The experts shared their views on creating an anti-drug environment in educational institutions and strengthening counselling and awareness programmes for students.
This was followed by a special discussion on ‘Drug-Free Society – Community-Based Approach’, moderated by senior journalist Mr. Anupam Trivedi. The panel included Mr. Amit Kumar Sinha, Special Principal Secretary, Sports; Dr. Saloni, Senior Psychologist, Max Hospital; Dr. Tripta Thakur, Vice-Chancellor, Uttarakhand Technical University, Dehradun; and IG Nilesh Anand Bharne. The experts emphasised the importance of a coordinated role for families, communities, educational institutions, the administration and youth in preventing substance abuse.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor said that substance abuse not only affects an individual’s health but also poses a serious challenge to the progress and well-being of families, society and the nation. He said that the campaign against drugs must not remain limited to government efforts alone but should be transformed into a people’s movement. The active participation of youth, educational institutions, parents, social organisations and communities is essential in this endeavour.
The Governor said that young people possess immense energy, talent and potential to contribute to nation-building. To channel this energy positively, it is essential to promote sports, education, skill development, creative activities and employment opportunities. He called upon students to stay away from substance abuse themselves and to create awareness among people around them about its harmful consequences.
He emphasised that all aspects of de-addiction—including awareness, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation—must be addressed simultaneously. Educational institutions should create drug-free environments and ensure effective counselling and mental-health support systems for students. The police, psychologists, social organisations and other stakeholders must also work together to address this challenge.
The Governor said that the family, particularly the mother, has the most important role in helping an individual overcome addiction. He said that God has blessed a mother with the unique ability to be a person’s first and most compassionate healer. When a son falls into the grip of addiction, it is often his mother who experiences the deepest pain. Therefore, the role of Matri Shakti is extremely important in addressing the problem of substance abuse.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Manuj Goyal, Additional Secretary, Higher Education, who briefed the gathering about the ‘Nasha Mukti Mitra’ campaign and highlighted the need for awareness and public participation in the fight against substance abuse. Thereafter, Mr. Devanand, Zonal Director, Uttarakhand, shared his views on ‘Drug Prevention and Youth Vigilance’.
With the objective of conveying a strong message on the harmful effects of substance abuse and ways to prevent it, the Theatre Department of Doon University presented an impactful street play. Through the performance, students and young people were encouraged to stay away from drugs and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
A question-and-answer session was also organised for students. During the interactive session, students engaged with experts and raised questions on preventing addiction, mental health, rehabilitation and returning to a normal life after overcoming substance dependence. On the occasion, the Governor released the book ‘Nasha Mukt Nav-Nirman’, authored by Dr. Rohit Rastogi. The Governor also administered the ‘Nasha Mukti Sankalp’ (Drug-Free Pledge) to the students and participants present at the programme.
Dr. Devendra Bhasin, Vice-Chairman, Higher Education Upliftment Committee; Mr. Shailesh Bagoli, Secretary; Mr. Ravinath Raman, Secretary to the Governor; Mr. Kaushal Kishore Shukla, Legal Adviser to the Governor, along with several distinguished guests, representatives of educational institutions, and students were present on the occasion.
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