The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the National Awards for Outstanding Services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse today (June 26, 2016) in New Delhi on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Speaking on the occasion, the President congratulated the recipients of the awards for their outstanding contributions in field of prevention of alcoholism and substance abuse. He told the award winners not to remain complacent and to continue with efforts for eradicating the twin menace. The President said the two vices have caused havoc in the social life of our country as well as across the world. He complimented the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for its initiatives and stressed the need for civil society and NGOs to work closely with the Government in eradicating the menace.

The President also said many studies have established that terrorism, smuggling and drug activities are co-related. Unless these linkages are broken, it will be very difficult to fight all three.

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment and Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar as well as Shri Vijay Sampla, Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment.