Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, Governor urge drug-free society on Anti-Drug Day
Synopsis
On International Anti-Drug Day, Telangana's Chief Minister, Governor, and top cop issued a rare unified call for a drug-free state — signalling that the fight against narcotics in Hyderabad is being treated as a whole-of-society movement, not just a policing problem.
Key Takeaways
Revanth Reddy and Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla issued separate anti-drug appeals on 26 June , the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking .
Reddy warned that drugs destroy families and fuel law-and-order challenges, calling for a 'Drug-Free Telangana.' DGP C.V.
Anand posted on X that drug eradication is a collective societal movement, not solely a police responsibility.
All three leaders stressed awareness, vigilance, and social responsibility as core tools against drug abuse.
The coordinated messaging reflects heightened concern over drug accessibility among youth in urban Telangana .
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Friday, 26 June jointly appealed to citizens to shun drugs and work collectively toward building a healthier society, marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Their messages, issued separately, converged on a single call: a drug-free Telangana.
Chief Minister's Appeal
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy stressed the need to foster positive thinking and strong values among the youth as the primary bulwark against drug abuse. He warned that drugs do not merely destroy individual lives — they fracture families and ripple outward into broader society, fuelling law-and-order challenges that strain communities and administration alike.
Reddy emphasised that awareness, vigilance, and social responsibility are the three pillars essential for controlling drug abuse and curbing illicit trafficking. He urged every citizen to actively participate in the state's campaign for a 'Drug-Free Telangana.'
Governor Shukla's Message
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla echoed the sentiment, calling upon all sections of society to join hands in preventing drug abuse and promoting a healthy lifestyle. His message underlined that the fight against narcotics is a shared civic duty, not a burden borne by the state alone.
Police Chief Calls for Collective Action
Director General of Police C.V. Anand took to social media platform X to reinforce the message, stating that drug abuse harms not just individuals but entire families and communities. 'Let us join hands to spread awareness, support prevention, and encourage a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Together, we can build a safer and stronger Telangana,' he posted.
In a follow-up post, DGP Anand was explicit that eradicating drugs is not the police's responsibility alone. 'The fight against drugs is not the responsibility of the police alone — it is a collective movement that requires the active participation of every section of society,' he said, urging citizens to stay vigilant and become partners in the state's anti-drug drive.
Why This Matters
The coordinated messaging from the Chief Minister, Governor, and the state's top police officer on the same day signals a concerted push by Telangana to elevate anti-drug awareness beyond routine observance. Notably, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed every 26 June, is a United Nations-designated day that governments worldwide use to renew anti-narcotics commitments. Telangana's top-down mobilisation — from Raj Bhavan to the police headquarters — reflects growing concern over drug accessibility among youth in urban centres like Hyderabad. All eyes will now be on whether these appeals translate into concrete policy action and measurable enforcement outcomes in the months ahead.
Point of View
A Governor, and a DGP on the same day is unusual enough to warrant attention — but the real question is whether it moves beyond symbolism. Telangana, like several southern states, has seen rising reports of synthetic drug availability among urban youth, yet enforcement data and rehabilitation infrastructure remain under-reported. Appeals on designated UN days are easy; a credible 'Drug-Free Telangana' demands visible metrics — seizure trends, rehabilitation bed counts, and youth diversion programme outcomes. Without those anchors, even the most senior voices risk being tuned out by the communities they most need to reach.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Telangana CM Revanth Reddy say on International Anti-Drug Day?
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy urged citizens to stay away from drugs and work toward a drug-free society by fostering positive thinking and values among youth. He warned that drug abuse ruins individual lives, shatters families, and creates law-and-order problems.
What is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking?
It is a United Nations-designated awareness day observed every 26 June to renew global commitments against drug abuse and illegal narcotics trafficking. Governments, institutions, and civil society organisations use the occasion to launch campaigns and policy pledges.
What did Telangana DGP C.V. Anand say about the fight against drugs?
DGP C.V. Anand posted on X that drug eradication is not the responsibility of the police alone — it is a collective movement requiring active participation from every section of society. He urged citizens to spread awareness and stay vigilant.
Who else appealed for a drug-free Telangana on 26 June?
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla also issued a message calling on all citizens to join hands in preventing drug abuse and promoting a healthy lifestyle, alongside CM Revanth Reddy and DGP C.V. Anand.
Why is Telangana focusing on drug awareness among youth?
Officials have flagged that drug abuse not only harms individuals but also disrupts families and fuels broader law-and-order challenges. Urban centres like Hyderabad have seen growing concerns over drug accessibility among young people, making youth-focused awareness a stated priority.
