AHMEDABAD, November 9, 2026 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set an ambitious deadline of December 31, 2028, to make Gujarat drug-free, urging citizens, teachers and parents to join the fight against narcotics and report suspected drug consumption and sales to the authorities.
Addressing a gathering in Ahmedabad after inaugurating and launching development projects worth ₹1,024 crore, Shah emphasised that the government alone could not eliminate the drug menace without active public participation. He called for a coordinated effort involving law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, families and local communities to protect young people from substance abuse.
Shah also reiterated the national target of making India drug-free by December 31, 2029, asserting that Gujarat should achieve the objective a year earlier.
‘Drug Abuse Threatens the Future of Our Youth’
The Home Minister warned that drug addiction damages the physical and mental well-being of young people, undermining their cognitive abilities and threatening the country’s future.
He further highlighted the security dimension of narcotics trafficking, stating that money generated through the illegal drug trade is used to finance terrorism within the country.
Shah urged citizens to remain vigilant and immediately report suspected drug sales or consumption in their neighbourhoods. He stressed that combating narcotics required collective responsibility rather than relying solely on government enforcement.
Dedicated Gujarat Control Room to Become Operational on December 1
Announcing measures to strengthen public participation, Shah urged residents of Ahmedabad to use a dedicated state control room, scheduled to become operational in Gujarat from December 1, to report suspected drug-related activities.
He said citizens would be able to provide information about drug consumption and illegal sales through designated reporting channels. According to Shah, the identity of informants would be kept confidential, and strict action would be taken against those found involved in the drug trade.
The announcement is intended to strengthen the flow of information between citizens and enforcement agencies, enabling authorities to respond more effectively to suspected narcotics activity.
Note: The specific toll-free number was not provided in the supplied report.
Teachers and Parents Asked to Watch for Warning Signs
Shah called on teachers to remain attentive to changes in students’ behaviour that might indicate substance misuse. He cited symptoms such as bloodshot eyes, sleeping in classrooms and difficulty concentrating as possible warning signs requiring attention.
He urged teachers to respond responsibly and ensure that students receive appropriate assessment and support when necessary.
Parents and guardians were also asked to maintain close communication with adolescent children and remain alert to potential signs of drug use.
The emphasis, he said, should be on identifying problems early, protecting vulnerable young people and ensuring that suspected cases receive appropriate attention rather than allowing addiction to go unnoticed.
Rehabilitation Centres Planned to Support Recovery
Alongside enforcement, Shah announced that rehabilitation centres would be established to help individuals recover from addiction.
The proposed facilities are intended to complement the anti-drug campaign by addressing the treatment and recovery needs of people affected by substance dependence.
The broader approach combines action against drug trafficking with public awareness, early intervention and rehabilitation, recognising that tackling addiction requires both law enforcement and social support.
Ahmedabad to Lead Gujarat’s Anti-Drug Campaign
Shah said the campaign had been launched on the occasion of Kali Chaudas and emphasised that Ahmedabad and Gujarat must lead the way towards achieving the national drug-free objective.
He also referred to the government’s action against Naxalism, saying the administration could not afford to become complacent after its achievements in tackling internal security challenges.
The latest announcements follow a high-level law-and-order review meeting held by Shah in Ahmedabad on Saturday, during which he directed enforcement agencies to prepare stringent action plans against narcotics and expand control room mechanisms.
₹1,024-Crore Development Projects Also Launched
The programme also featured the inauguration and foundation-laying of civic and infrastructure projects undertaken by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency represented by Shah.
Other activities included a computerised draw for housing allotments under government welfare schemes and a tree plantation drive.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot and other dignitaries attended the event.
A Collective Mission Against Drugs
With the December 2028 deadline, Gujarat faces an intensified campaign against narcotics trafficking and addiction. The planned control room, confidential reporting mechanism, rehabilitation facilities and public awareness initiatives are expected to form key elements of the effort.
The success of the initiative will depend on effective enforcement, accessible treatment, public cooperation and sustained coordination among government agencies, educational institutions and families.
TRUTH PREVAIL | Bringing You the Headlines That Matter!
