Shah sets ambitious drug-free targets for Gujarat, India

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday outlined an accelerated timeline to combat drug abuse, setting December 31, 2028, as the target date for making Gujarat drug-free. The state-level deadline precedes the Centre's national objective by twelve months, underscoring the government's commitment to address substance abuse across the country.

As part of the comprehensive anti-drug drive, Shah announced the launch of a toll-free helpline that will enable citizens to report drug-related activities and facilitate coordination between law enforcement agencies and communities. The initiative represents an effort to strengthen grassroots participation in the government's drug eradication efforts.

The announcement reflects the government's multi-pronged approach to tackle the growing menace of drug trafficking and abuse. By establishing specific state-level benchmarks ahead of the national deadline, authorities aim to create competitive momentum among states to accelerate their own drug-suppression programs.

The initiative targets both the supply and demand sides of the drug problem, combining enforcement actions with community engagement mechanisms. Officials indicated that the helpline would serve as a critical tool for gathering intelligence on drug-related crimes and enabling swift action by competent authorities across jurisdictions.