Home Minister V. Anitha on Thursday emphasised the urgent need to protect youth from the menace of drug addiction.

Addressing students, faculty members, police officials and others at an awareness programme on drug abuse prevention and youth empowerment, organised by the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) at VIT-AP University, marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, she said drug abuse was not merely a social issue but a serious threat to the nation’s future, as it destroys the talent, health and aspirations of young people.

Highlighting the Andhra Pradesh government’s anti-narcotics initiatives, Ms. Anitha lauded the State’s achievement of attaining “zero ganja cultivation.” She commended the Andhra Pradesh Police, particularly EAGLE teams, for their sustained efforts in eliminating illegal cannabis cultivation and dismantling drug trafficking networks.

Referring to the global rise of drug abuse since the 1980s, the Minister noted that both conventional and organised criminal networks continue to target youth, posing risks not only to individual lives but also to national security and development. She described the eradication of illegal ganja cultivation across nearly 25,000 acres in Agency areas and the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) region, where the crop had been cultivated for over three to four decades, as a historic achievement made possible through the dedication of the police force and EAGLE teams.

EAGLE Chief Ake Ravi Krishna said the State’s success in achieving zero ganja cultivation was the result of sustained enforcement, intelligence-led operations and public participation. He said EAGLE’s mission extends beyond law enforcement to safeguarding youth, raising public awareness and protecting future generations from the dangers of narcotics.

Guntur District Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal stressed the importance of collective action involving educational institutions, parents, students and society at large in combating drug abuse. He said awareness and vigilance remain the most effective tools to secure the future of young people.

Anti-drug pledge

EAGLE Cell SP Nagesh Babu administered an anti-drug pledge to participants, reaffirming the commitment to building a drug-free India and promoting healthy, responsible lifestyles among youth.

VIT-AP University Registrar M. Jagadish Chandra and others were present.