The Economic Times

More substance to beat substance abuse: Anti-drug campaigns may inadvertently glamorise drugs, experts warn

History shows anti-drug campaigns often glamorise forbidden lifestyles and substances. Scare tactics and slogans prove ineffective as deterrents for young people. India's drug menace, particularly in Punjab, requires more than mere theatre. The US' War on Drugs substituted punishment for treatment, leading to negative outcomes. Investing in education and addressing societal despair offers a more effective alternative.