Use of drugs not 'cool', resist peer pressure: Supreme Court to youth

The Supreme Court on Monday advised the youth to stay away from illicit drugs and resist the temptation of seeing it as a fashionable display of camaraderie [Ankush Vipan Kapoor v. National Investigation Agency]..A Bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice N Kotiswar Singh commented in detail on the ills of drug abuse while dealing with a case related to smuggling and distribution of narcotics across states.The Court said that drug use was a matter of serious concern and urged States to develop effective intervention strategies to save India’s younger population from the menace.While directly addressing the youth, the Court said they must desist from emulating personalities who may be indulging in drug abuse."For youngsters just beginning to explore the world, the consumption of drugs in popular culture has propelled the cultural push towards a dangerous lifestyle, one that incorrigibly applauds drugs use as ‘cool’ and a fashionable display of camaraderie. We implore the youth to take charge of their decisional autonomy and firmly resist peer pressure and desist from emulation of certain personalities who may be indulging in drugs," it remarked..The Court also observed that vulnerable children turn to drugs as an escapism from emotional distress, academic stress and peer pressure. It thus made an appeal to not demonize victims of drug abuse."The unfortunate reality is that victims of substance abuse are not limited to the unfortunate ones who have fallen prey to it but also include their family and peers. Our approach towards the victims of drug abuse must not be to demonize the victims but to rehabilitate them."Justice Nagarathna, who authored the judgment, also highlighted the crucial role parents can play in curbing drug abuse, especially among adolescents.Affectionate and friendly conversations between parents and children and a continuous assessment of the direction in which a child is proceeding is a duty which each parent must undertake, the judge underscored..The Court further said that local communities should work with NGOs and law enforcement agencies to create awareness campaigns to address the risks of drug abuse with a special focus on schools and youth centres."The National Legal Services Authority and State Legal Authorities must devise awareness programs and implement them particularly in vulnerable regions of the States and territories more exposed to drug menace," it added.While reflecting on the role schools and colleges can play on the issue, the Court said,"They must include prevention of drug abuse in their curriculum, focusing on the physical, emotional, and legal consequences of drug abuse. Naturally, all efforts should be backed by scientific evidence and experiential learning.".In an epilogue to the judgment, Justice Nagarathna stressed that prevention of drug addiction among adolescents requires a concerted effort from multiple stakeholders."The arc and web of drug trade cannot be permitted to corrode the shine of the youth of India," the Court said..NIA can probe those accused of non-scheduled offence if... : Supreme Court settles law.[Read Judgment]