Patna/New Delhi. (The News.). Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, across India our youth are falling prey to drugs. India has 2.3 crore opioid and almost 1 crore inhalant users – more than the entire population of Haryana.Rahul posted his article on Facebook and made aware to Indian youth. The government seems unwilling or unable to address this devastating crisis that threatens to destroy an entire generation.While fighting soaring drug-related crimes is urgent, we must also tackle the root economic, social, and mental health related factors driving our youth towards drugs – such as unemployment, hopelessness and societal pressure to conform. I met a delegation of doctors and influencers today from Kerala, where the drug menace is poisoning thousands of young people – leading to a rise in crime, medical emergencies and mental health issues. They talked to me about the immediate need for awareness campaigns, de-addiction centres and counsellors to tackle the increasing drug problem in the state.

It is imperative that we work together as a society to address this epidemic, before it destroys even more lives.