Ensuring a Secure Future for Children Along with Saving Them from Addiction is Essential: Chief Justice
Patna, 26th September 2026: Chief Justice of India, Justice Suryakant, today said that the problem of drug addiction among children is not merely an issue of health or crime, but a serious question linked to their safety, education and future. Children affected by addiction must get an opportunity for treatment, care, education and return to normal life.
The Chief Justice was delivering a lecture on the topic ‘Childhood Beyond Drugs: Protection, Care and Reintegration’ under the Pataliputra Pragya Pravah series at Bihar Lok Bhavan.
Referring to the rich tradition of knowledge and education of Pataliputra, Justice Suryakant said that society’s responsibility towards child safety increases even more in Bihar. Due to drugs, children get away from studies, family relations get strained, they face health problems and are at risk of being exploited and used in illegal activities.
Every Child Has a Different Reason
He said that the reason for every child turning to drugs can be different – peer pressure, neglect, violence, poverty or an adverse environment at home. Therefore, instead of holding the child guilty, it is important to understand his or her circumstances and provide help.
Emphasizing on ‘Bringing Back Childhood’, he said that freeing children from drugs is the first step; reconnecting them with school, family and normal life is equally important. For this, along with treatment, counselling, mental health support and a safe environment should be made available. There should be strict action against those who trap children into the drug trade and exploit them.
He said that before sending a child back to the family, a safe environment at home must be ensured and alternative arrangements should be made if required. He stressed on the coordinated efforts of the judiciary, government, police, health, education, child protection agencies and social organizations.
He said that help for a child should not be limited to just rescue or treatment, but continuous support should be provided in his rehabilitation and future life. A child’s past troubles should not become his future identity; he should not have to live with stigma, but should get respect, support and a chance for a new beginning. Children are not just the future of the country, they are citizens of today as well.
Governor Says: Every Child Trapped in Drugs is Not a Criminal
Earlier, in his special address, Governor Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) said that it is not appropriate to consider the problem of drugs among children only as a crime or health issue. The child’s education, family, safety and future must also be kept in mind. He mentioned the national security dimension linked to the drug trade and stressed the need for strict surveillance on trafficking and networks.
The Governor said that every child trapped in addiction is not always a criminal, but many times he himself is a victim. Therefore, along with rehabilitation, strict action against those involved in their exploitation is necessary. He also emphasized the need to bring the child back to education, family and society along with treatment, and called for coordinated efforts of the judiciary, government, police, health, education and social organizations.
The programme was attended by Patna High Court Chief Justice Justice V. Kameswar Rao, Justice Sudhir Singh and other judges, Lady Governor Mrs. Sabiha Hasnain, Chief Secretary Shri Pratyay Amrit, Advocate General Shri S.D. Sanjay, Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor Shri Deepak Kumar Singh, administrative, police and judicial officers, Vice Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University Prof. Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellors of various universities and other dignitaries.