New Delhi: Terrorism, smuggling and drug activities are inter-linked and will be broken by a concerted effort, President Pranab Mukherjee said today.
Alcoholism and substance abuse have created havoc in the country’s social life and across the world, the President said while presenting National Awards for outstanding service on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Regretting that the menace of drug abuse will cause "complete loss of values" and rise in crime rate, he said governments, NGOs and civil society members have to work together to eradicate these vices.
"These social vices have caused havoc in our country as well as across the world. The menace can never be eradicated only by the efforts of the government, and large number of NGOs and civil society organisations have to work together to create awareness about the two social menace,” said Mukherjee.
"It is not only the problems of the individuals, it has an affect on the society as it gives rise to a tendency for criminal activities, violence, rape.”
"There is a complete loss of values which bind the society together," he added.
Congratulating the recipients of the awards for their outstanding contributions in the field of prevention of alcoholism and substance abuse, he told them not to be complacent and to continue with efforts to eradicate the twin menace.
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot and many others were present on the occasion.
