MK Stalin flags drug menace in Tamil Nadu, urges Centre to block inflow

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday while addressing a gathering in Tiruchirappalli, said eradicating the drug menace is essential to protect the future of the youth and called on the Union government to take stronger steps to block the entry of drugs into the country.

The Chief Minister while speaking at the launch of the Equality March, led by MDMK founder Vaiko in Tiruchirappalli, said there was no difference of opinion on the need to eliminate drugs, which he described as a serious threat to young people. He said the state government was taking several steps to curb drug abuse, though he admitted the measures were not yet fully effective.

The Chief Minister said drugs were flowing into Tamil Nadu from other states as well as from foreign countries, and stressed that the issue could not be tackled by states alone. He urged the Union government to closely monitor ports and other entry points through which drugs were being smuggled into India.

“Through news reports, we come to know which ports are being used to bring drugs into the country. These entry points must be blocked,” he said, adding that coordination between the Centre and all states was crucial to stop the movement of drugs across state borders.

Stalin cited recent seizures of more than one lakh drug pills in Thiruvallur, Vellore and Ranipet districts. He said those involved in smuggling were from states such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Haryana, while in some cases the accused were foreign nationals from Nigeria and Senegal.

Describing the drug trade as a vast and organised network, the Chief Minister said it could only be dismantled through collective efforts. He emphasised that society as a whole had a role to play in fighting drug abuse.

Stalin also appealed to artistes and content creators to act responsibly, warning that glorifying drug use could destroy an entire generation. While portraying the ill effects of drugs was acceptable, he said romanticising substance abuse was dangerous.

The Chief Minister urged parents to remain vigilant and not ignore early signs of drug use among children. He warned that the lure of easy money through YouTube and Instagram reels could push youngsters onto the wrong path and called on parents to guide their children responsibly.

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