How Drugs Are Destroying Our Generation and the Role of Anti-Drug Campaigns in Local Communities
The NashaMukti Bharat Abhiyan, along with drug rehabilitation centers and anti-drug campaigns, stands as one of the most effective government initiatives. With collective public support, a drug-free Kashmir can soon become a reality.
Syed Showkat
To fit in has become the new trend that everyone aspires to live up to. “I don’t like this movie, but I have to watch it because everyone else is.” “I don’t feel like wearing baggy clothes, but everybody else is wearing them.” Or “I don’t want to smoke and drink, but all my friends are trying it, so I might as well try it too.” We are so caught up in this dilemma of doing what everyone else is doing that we’ve lost our sense of what’s right and what’s wrong. The need to belong has become stronger than the need to stay true to ourselves. Our generation is complicated—we are so sensitive about our image among our friends and peers that we’d go to any length to prove our worth, whether it’s spending hours online editing our pictures for likes, curating a life that appears perfect, or engaging in reckless behaviors just to earn validation. The more we chase approval, the further we drift from our real selves.
There’s so much pressure to live a certain life that the right path seems blurred. The fear of being left out, judged, or called “uncool” pushes many toward choices they wouldn’t otherwise make. Drugs have become the new trend—what begins as mere curiosity, a small step toward “fitting in,” quickly spirals into dependency. The first try is rarely the last, and soon, the thrill of experimentation turns into an unbreakable cycle. What starts as a group activity to impress friends ends up consuming a person’s entire sense of control. But is this really the price we should pay for social acceptance? Some people might think so, but it’s not. Drugs are a menace with far-reaching consequences beyond what one can imagine. The scariest part? It doesn’t just affect individuals; it seeps into families, friendships, and entire communities. The fight against drug abuse cannot just be a personal struggle—it must become a collective effort, starting from the very roots of our society.
Substance abuse among children and adolescents has reached a threatening level, making it the center of attention for all concerned authorities. Many steps have been taken to tackle this growing crisis, focusing on awareness, rehabilitation, and stricter law enforcement. Campaigns and initiatives have been launched to educate people, especially the youth, about the dangers of drug addiction. The NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan (Drug-Free India Campaign), launched by the Indian government, focuses on awareness, prevention, and rehabilitation to curb substance abuse. It educates youth, strengthens de-addiction centers, and enforces stricter laws against drug trafficking. Similarly, Srinagar’s Dekh Bal Campaign, supported by UNICEF India and SACPPE, uses roadshows and sound truck campaigns to spread awareness and engage communities in the fight against drug addiction. Both initiatives emphasize the need for collective action to create a drug-free society. The goal is simple: to make people understand that drugs are not a trend to follow but a trap that ruins lives. The more informed individuals are about the risks, the stronger their resistance to peer pressure becomes.
But awareness alone is not enough. Rehabilitation centers have been strengthened to offer proper care and guidance to those who have already fallen into addiction. More de-addiction centers have been set up, providing counseling, medical treatment, and psychological support. Helplines and support networks have been introduced, making it easier for individuals and families to seek help before it’s too late. Addiction isn’t just a habit; it’s a struggle that needs professional intervention and a strong support system. No one should have to fight this battle alone, and these rehabilitation efforts ensure that those affected get the second chance they deserve.At the same time, law enforcement agencies have intensified their crackdown on drug trafficking. Police and anti-narcotics teams are working tirelessly to dismantle supply chains and arrest those involved in drug-related crimes. Stricter laws and harsher penalties are being implemented to discourage the sale and distribution of illegal substances.
But this fight isn’t just for the authorities—it requires collective action. Authorities have little power over the minds of children. Besides, those children who engage in drugs are often rebellious enough not to care about what the government is doing for them. Drug addiction starts from local communities, among families where parents are too busy with their lives to see what their kids are up to. The main reason a child seeks love and validation from peers is because they can’t find it at home. I don’t know if this is relevant, but I believe one major reason why kids turn into unruly rebels is that their parents constantly compare them to others. Comparisons shatter self-esteem, and that’s where all the problems emerge. The first and foremost responsibility lies with parents—they must ensure that their children feel happy, content, loved, and appreciated for who they are. While the government is doing its best, it is equally necessary for parents to understand their responsibilities.
However, it’s wrong to blame all parents. As I mentioned earlier, the foremost reason we run after bad things is because of the separate world we call social media, which constantly reminds us of how inadequate and irrelevant our lives are. Adolescents and teenagers, already confused about their growing bodies and evolving needs, see someone’s fake and glamorous life on social media and feel worthless because they don’t have the same. This makes them turn to drugs, as it’s the only thing that gives them a thrill. But they don’t understand that this thrill is killing them from within. They want to escape from this so-called practical life.But what they don’t realize is that this escape is nothing more than a slow poison, dragging them deeper into a pit from which return becomes almost impossible. Drugs might offer a fleeting sense of euphoria, a temporary distraction from their insecurities and struggles, but the aftermath is brutal. The more they indulge, the more they lose control—of their minds, their choices, and eventually, their lives.
Drugs are a menace not just because they ruin individuals but because they tear apart entire families and communities. A person trapped in addiction is no longer the same—they become distant, irritable, and detached from reality. Relationships crumble as trust is broken, parents watch helplessly as their children slip away, and friendships turn toxic. In the worst cases, addiction pushes individuals toward crime, as desperation to sustain the habit leads them to theft, violence, and even trafficking. The ripple effect is devastating; a single addict does not suffer alone—everyone around them pays the price.
Beyond personal destruction, drugs weaken the very fabric of society. Communities plagued by substance abuse witness higher crime rates, declining productivity, and a generation that loses its potential before it even begins to shine. Schools and colleges see students dropping out, workplaces struggle with unreliable employees, and hospitals fill with young lives battling overdoses and withdrawal. The cycle is vicious—one that feeds on hopelessness and thrives in silence. This is why the fight against drugs cannot be ignored or left to just a few; it must be a collective battle, one that starts in homes, schools, and social circles, ensuring that no young soul finds solace in something designed to destroy them.
The government can surely improve its methods and focus more on changing people’s mindsets. They can introduce severe punishments and stricter laws for drug dealers, who are responsible for the destruction of society. Schools can engage students in creative activities and help them develop new skills so they are too distracted to go down the wrong path. There can be a greater boost in sports and arts. The government can host more events where young people can showcase their talents and receive appreciation. These are simple yet effective steps that can be taken, but again, I will emphasize individual responsibility—because change starts from within.
Our generation has so much potential that, if we choose, we can conquer the world. Our minds are creative, and we must let creativity bring out the best in us. A healthy lifestyle is all it takes. We must stop comparing ourselves to everyone we see on social media. Even celebrities have struggles, just like us—the sooner we understand that, the sooner we will be able to live life in a better way. This fight against drugs should be everyone’s individual fight; only then will it yield desirable results.
We can start by meditating a little every day and reflecting on our actions. Writing helps a lot—it’s a form of therapy. If we feel left out and experience FOMO, we can start journaling our experiences, which helps organize our thoughts. It’s better to write a poem than to take drugs, isn’t it? We can reduce our screen time and use social media for good—joining communities that work for a cause, making friends who help us grow, or spreading awareness about the dangers of drugs. We can spend time learning new skills because we can never have enough of those.Local communities can step up, report suspicious activities, and stand together to create a drug-free environment. Because in the end, the only way to break this cycle is by ensuring that neither curiosity nor peer pressure leads another young life down this dangerous path.
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