CJI says drug abuse among children a protection crisis, seeks rehabilitation

Patna: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday called for a shift in the way society responds to children caught in substance abuse, saying the problem must be viewed as a child protection crisis, not merely an issue of health or crime.Addressing a lecture on “Childhood beyond drugs: Protection, care and reintegration” at Lok Bhavan under the Patliputra Pragya Pravah series, the CJI said, “When a child encounters intoxicating substances, education gets interrupted, family relationships may become strained and physical and mental health suffer.” Children caught in addiction, he warned, become vulnerable to exploitation, violence, trafficking and illegal activities.“Substance abuse among children must therefore be understood not only as a public health concern, but equally as a child protection concern,” he said.Surya Kant said peer pressure, neglect, violence, poverty and troubled home environments could push children towards drugs. “The child must be helped, not condemned.”He said freeing a child from drugs was only the beginning. Treatment must go hand in hand with counselling, mental-health support, education and a safe environment. Children should not be returned to unsafe homes and alternative care must be provided where necessary.He also called for stringent action against those who draw children into drug trafficking and exploit their vulnerability. “Any child’s past trouble should not become the identity of his or her future,” he said, stressing the need to replace stigma with dignity, support and a second chance.Governor Syed Ata Hasnain said the drug problem among children could not be reduced to crime or healthcare, pointing to its impact on education, family, security and their future. He stressed the need to monitor trafficking networks and said a child caught in drugs was not always an offender but could itself be a victim.Both stressed coordinated action by the judiciary, govt, police, health and education departments, child-protection institutions and civil society for rehabilitation and reintegration.The programme was attended by Patna high court Chief Justice Justice V Kameshwar Rao, Justice Sudhir Singh, chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit, advocate general S D Sanjay, additional chief secretary to the governor Deepak Kumar Singh and other administrative, police and judicial officials.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Patna | Silver Rate in Patna | Bank Holidays in Patna | Public Holidays in Patna | Patna AQI | Weather in Patna | Petrol Price in Patna | Diesel Price in Patna | CNG Price in Patna | LPG Price in PatnaStay updated with the latest Patna news. Download the TOI App.