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Describing substance abuse as a “serious social challenge”, Vice-President (V-P) C.P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday said the vision of a developed and self-reliant India can be realised only when its youth remain healthy, drug-free and purpose-driven.

Speaking at a Delhi University event aimed at ensuring a drug-free campus, Mr. Radhakrishnan launched a mobile application under the ‘Nasha Mukt Parisar Abhiyaan’. On his first visit to the university as its Chancellor, he called substance abuse not just a personal struggle but a public health concern and a threat to the country’s demographic dividend.

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“Drug abuse adversely affects physical and mental health, academic performance, family harmony, productivity and national security, including its links with narco-terrorism,” he said, urging students to become “ambassadors of change”.

When young people take the lead, the impact extends beyond campuses to families and communities, Mr. Radhakrishnan said. He appealed to students to stay vigilant, support peers in distress, speak up against substance abuse, and lead by example.

Hails Trump’s efforts

The V-P also praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to combat international drug networks, saying drug-free youth were essential to safeguarding national sovereignty. “Many of us, including me, do not agree with President Trump. But on one thing we must agree: he is the first U.S. President to raise his voice against the drug mafia of the world,” he said.

The event was attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood and Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh, who joined senior faculty and students in taking a pledge to ensure a drug-free campus.

Mr. Pradhan said “drug addiction is not cool”, warning that what begins with curiosity or experimentation often ends in dependency, ill health and a derailed future. “If any student is already struggling, they should know that help is available, and asking for help is not a weakness but wisdom,” he said.

Mr. Singh informed the audience that the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute of Delhi University had launched national helpline services for quitting tobacco.