Nagpur: The Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the women’s wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on Sunday expressed serious concern over rising substance abuse among youth, including women. The organisation also mentioned opioid abuse among other substances. Opioids are natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs, including prescription medications. The Samiti, which held its national executive meeting headed by Pramukh Sanchalika, Shantakka, passed a resolution urging the govt to make it mandatory for educational institutions to include programmes against addiction as part of their activities. The organization blamed social media and movies for rising drug abuse. It also sought curbs over means of inappropriate entertainment and strict action against those involved in the drug trade.Drug addiction has also led to improper behaviour, provocative dressing, and antisocial activities, said the Samiti while also calling for having better-equipped de-addiction centres and an increase in their numbers. Citing a report by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the Samiti said almost 25 crore young persons are addicted to some kind of substance. Drug abuse is also fast increasing among women, noted the Samiti.Based on the AIIMS report, the Samiti said 1.6% of women are addicted to alcohol, 0.26% to opioids, 0.34% to cannabis, and 8.9% to tobacco. It also mentioned a Supreme Court observation in December 2022, that 1.58 crore persons in the age group of 10 to 17 years are addicted to various drugs, and more than 75% of the addicts start the abuse before the age of 20 years.Praise for Operation SindoorRashtra Sevika Samiti issued a letter congratulating the Indian armed forces for the success of Operation Sindoor. It mentioned that the Indian air defence system foiled attacks by the Pakistani forces mid-air. “The country also gained on the diplomatic front by isolating Pakistan globally. Having two women officers brief about the success of Operation Sindoor signalled women empowerment. The entire Operation Sindoor has emerged as a symbol of assurance for country’s safety,” said a note shared by the Samiti.E-booklet on experiences during Emergency The Rashtra Sevika Samiti, which will complete 90 years in 2026, has also released an e-booklet on the sevikas’ (women volunteers) experiences during the struggle against Emergency. The Samiti has termed the Emergency as a dark period for Indian democracy. The Samiti’s national executive meeting was held in Nagpur from July 17 to 20. It was attended by 411 representatives from 38 regions of the organisation. The Samiti’s volunteers will also be working on the events to mark the centenary year of RSS.
