Silchar: A strong call for united action against drug addiction rang out at Gandhi Bhavan on Tuesday, where senior officials, health experts, and journalists gathered to confront the rising threat of substance abuse.

The discussion, titled Role of Media in Prevention and Awareness of Drug Addiction in Cachar District, was held under the State Action Plan for 2025–26, a part of the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). It was jointly organised by the Directorate of Social Justice & Empowerment, Assam, and the NGO Route to Connect.

Delivering the keynote address, District Nodal Officer (Mental Health) Dr. Dipankar Chakraborty described drug addiction as a “silent destroyer” that tears apart families, damages health, and weakens the social fabric.

He warned that addiction must be treated not as a bad habit but as a full-blown public health emergency. Dr. Chakraborty urged families to watch for early behavioural changes in children, schools to actively educate students, and society to replace stigma with structured rehabilitation.

He also flagged the rapid spread of synthetic drugs in the Northeast, stressing that enforcement, medical care, and community vigilance must move in sync if the crisis is to be contained.

Hrishikesh Kashyap, founder of Route to Connect, echoed this appeal. He called the fight against drugs a “whole-of-society effort,” where awareness, rehabilitation, and grassroots participation must come together. He pledged that his organisation would continue supporting initiatives to keep youth away from drugs.

Journalists at the meeting underscored the media’s central role. Guest speaker Aniruddha Laskar noted that the press in Barak Valley has long been on the frontline—tracking seizures, exposing trafficking, and shaping public opinion on addiction.

“Media cannot remain neutral when society is under threat,” he said, adding that coverage must extend beyond reporting busts to actively engaging with communities. He urged for stronger awareness campaigns and a social climate where addicts receive rehabilitation and drug suppliers face rejection.

Senior journalist Rahul Dev agreed, pointing out that reporters often risk their own safety while exposing the drug trade. He urged the government and private organisations to support media-driven campaigns and underlined that no single agency can win this fight alone—journalists, administrators, law enforcement, and civil society must work in tandem.

Psychologist and rehabilitation counsellor Mithun Roy stressed that a drug-free society requires family vigilance, healthy alternatives for youth, and a coordinated crackdown on supply chains. Dip Bhattacharjee, Secretary of the Barak Valley De-addiction Centres’ Association, urged communities to speak out more boldly against addiction’s growing social and personal toll.

The event, presided over by Assistant Commissioner and District Social Welfare Officer Deepa Das, ACS, concluded with a collective pledge under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. Das appealed for awareness at every level of society, emphasising that “only when every family remains alert and the media stands shoulder to shoulder with the administration can a drug-free society become a reality.”

The programme also featured a cultural performance directed by Mithun Roy, where a play portrayed the devastating impact of addiction.

Among those present were journalists Sunanda Nath, Ranu Dutta and Biswajit Roy; Barak Valley De-addiction Centres’ Association President Dhrubajyoti Bhattacharjee; Treasurer Guddu Singh; and members Debashish Nath and Dilu Das. All pledged to carry the message of awareness forward.