Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday urged the state’s youth to declare a war on drugs, saying it has already taken a serious toll on students and young people.

Drug addiction is the biggest problem among the youth, Saha said, adding drug dealers are ruining generation after generation.

Addressing the state-level Yuva Utsav at Nazrul Kalakshetra here, the chief minister said that the government has decided to set up drug-deaddiction centers in all the districts to help youth quit the addiction and return to usual life.

“I appeal to the young generation to come forward and quit the addiction. You must identify students who are addicted to drugs and inform school authorities to take remedial measures,” he said.

Asserting that the government will support those who speak out against the drug menace, Saha said that the youth and students are the future of the country and they should stand up against this menace.

As many as 562 cases under the NDPS Act were registered in the northeastern state in 2022, while 759 persons were arrested in the same period. Altogether, 445 cases under the NDPS Act have been lodged till August this year, and 746 persons were arrested, according to a police report. (PTI)