The Supreme Court on Monday highlighted the critical issues surrounding the country’s battle against substance abuse, emphasizing the necessity to rehabilitate affected youth rather than demonize them. In a detailed discussion, Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice N Kotiswar Singh articulated the need for open discourse on drug abuse, which they argued should not be treated as a taboo.
During the session, the bench pointed out the multifaceted causes of drug addiction, including academic pressures, family disturbances, and the easy availability of drugs. These factors often lead to substance use as a form of emotional escapism among adolescents. “We note our disquiet regarding substance abuse in India. Profits from this illicit trade are being used to support terrorism and violence, contributing to long-term social and economic instability,” the justices remarked.
The observations were made as the bench delivered a judgment on a bail plea by an individual implicated in a major narcotics case, where 500 kilograms of heroin were allegedly smuggled from Pakistan to India. The court’s commentary extended beyond the specifics of the case to address the broader societal implications of substance abuse.
The justices stressed that victims of substance abuse span all economic strata, debunking the stereotype that it is only the downtrodden who are vulnerable. “The youth must not follow those who resort to drug abuse. We need not demonize the ones who have resorted to it but rehabilitate these individuals and make them constructive citizens,” they stated.
