December 31, 2029, is the national deadline set for India to become drug-free. But Gujarat has been given a shorter timeline. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Monday, November 9, urged the people of Gujarat not to wait for the national deadline and instead work towards making the state free from drugs a year earlier, by December 31, 2028.
Shah said this goal cannot be achieved by the government alone. It will require people to come forward, identify drug-related activities around them and inform the authorities. He stressed that the fight against narcotics must involve every section of society, including teachers, parents and ordinary citizens.
Speaking at a public gathering in Ahmedabad on the occasion of Kali Chaudas, Shah said Gujarat should take the lead in the country’s fight against drugs. Referring to the fact that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he come from Gujarat, he said the state has an added responsibility to achieve this target before the rest of the country.
The anti-drug campaign was launched with the aim of starting the fight at the local level, beginning with Ahmedabad and then extending across Gujarat.
Shah made it clear that government agencies cannot identify and stop every instance of drug consumption or sale without the support of local communities.
He appealed to people to report drug-related activities in their neighbourhoods and assured them that their identities would be kept confidential. A toll-free helpline will allow citizens to share information with the authorities without revealing who they are.
He also warned that strict action would be taken against those involved in the drug trade and that they would be sent to jail.
According to Shah, the damage caused by drugs goes far beyond addiction. He said narcotics affect the physical and mental development of young people, damaging their bodies, minds, thinking abilities and senses.
He also raised concerns about the money generated through the drug trade, saying it is used to support terrorist activities within the country.
Shah said that although India had succeeded in becoming free from Naxalism, the country could not afford to become careless in its fight against narcotics.
Putting the focus on children and young people, Shah said schools and families have an important role in identifying possible drug abuse at an early stage.
He asked teachers to pay attention to sudden changes in students’ behaviour. Bloodshot eyes, regularly falling asleep in classrooms and an inability to concentrate were among the signs he mentioned.
He urged teachers not to ignore such changes and to report concerns so that the student can be tested when required.
Shah also appealed to parents and guardians to remain attentive to their adolescent children’s behaviour and keep a close watch on any unusual changes.
The message was clear: preventing drug addiction is not only the responsibility of police officers or government departments. Families, schools and communities also have a role to play.
To strengthen the state’s efforts, Shah announced that a dedicated anti-drug control room would start functioning in Gujarat from December 1, 2026.
The facility will allow citizens to report drug consumption, sales and other related activities to the authorities. The government also plans to establish rehabilitation centres for people struggling with drug addiction.
The rehabilitation facilities are intended to help those affected by addiction recover, making the campaign about both stopping the drug trade and supporting people who need help.
Shah particularly called on Ahmedabad residents to actively participate in the campaign. He said the first step towards achieving the larger national goal should be to make Ahmedabad and Gujarat drug-free.
Shah made these announcements while attending a programme in Ahmedabad, where development projects worth ₹1,024 crore were launched.
The programme included the inauguration of several civic and infrastructure projects and the laying of foundation stones for other works undertaken by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). These projects fall within the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Shah.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot and other dignitaries were present at the event.
The latest announcement comes two days after Shah chaired a high-level law and order review meeting in Ahmedabad on November 7.
During the meeting, he directed enforcement agencies to prepare strict action plans to tackle narcotics-related activities. He also called for stronger control room arrangements to improve monitoring and enforcement.
The December 1 control room announcement is part of these wider efforts to strengthen the state’s response to the drug problem.
With December 31, 2028, set as the target for Gujarat, Shah has placed the responsibility not just on government departments but also on citizens. Whether the state can meet this deadline will depend on how effectively authorities, schools, families and local communities work together against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade.
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