Have the courage to say no to drugs: Modi

New Delhi: In his third ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue of drug abuse. Expressing his concerns for the youth of the country he said they should have the courage to say no to drugs.

In the radio address on Sunday, Modi highlighted that drugs bring three things, “I call them 3D — Darkness, Destruction and Devastation,” adding that society, government and law, all need to work together to address the issue.

“When a youngster gets into this (drugs) we consider him or her bad. But the truth is the drugs are bad not the youth. Drugs is something that can shatter anyone.”

“Bad habits don’t start all of sudden, they develop over time”, Modi said, urging parents to observe changes in their children to save them.

Addressing the youth who take drugs he said, “Perhaps for those few hours you feel that it’s a different life, free of troubles but where does the money you spend on drugs go. What if it goes to terrorists and is used to buy weapons of destruction.”

“Think, what if the bullet that struck a soldier was bought with the money you spent on drugs.”

For raising awareness among people, Modi said “On social media let us start a movement with #DrugFreeIndia.” He also requested former drug addicts to share their stories.

India’s chemists are infamous for selling prescription medicines over the counter, for this the Prime Minister said the chemists should be careful and not give any medicine without prescription.

He also urged celebrities, “be it sportsmen, film personalities, from all walks of life people must spread awareness on the issue.”

Modi announced setting up of Toll-free helpline for those seeking solutions to drug menace .