Says law without compassion becomes tyranny
Panaji : Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Sunday called for collective efforts and action to combat drug abuse, and said that law without compassion becomes tyranny and compassion without law becomes chaos.
Addressing the concluding function of the 30-day special awareness campaign in the state on drug abuse at Kala Academy, the CJI reckoned that one should recognise that substance abuse is not merely a criminal problem, but a social, psychological and medical one which requires consultative action and not retributive rhetoric.
He said, “Drug abuse does not arrive with noise or warning. It slips quietly into our homes, classrooms, and community, eroding potential future. Drug abuse does not only spoil individuals but society itself.”
“I entered here crossing the beautiful lanes of Goa which hosts thousands of tourists and families every day. This was sufficient for me to see the spirit of Goa. Goa stands for preservation, heritage, and pride in our identity
and the state’s spirit is embedded not only in the buildings and street corners, but in every citizen and resident, all of whom seem to carry DNA Goa as antiquity, resilience, and beauty,” Justice Surya Kant said.
He highlighted that early awareness and strong moral choices are key to preventing the widespread social and personal damage caused by the drug addiction.
The Chief Justice of India sounded a strong warning against drug abuse, emphasising its destructive impact on individuals, families, and society.
Referring to a video that was played during the event which showed the rehabilitated youth, the CJI said it has given a voice to those whom society had written off, and that their testimony is more powerful than any pamphlet at this stage.
The campaign was structured into consecutive awareness phases, covering sensitisation, community mobilisation, youth-specific interventions and rehabilitation-tier support.
Justice Surya Kant also said the campaign against drug abuse has been conveyed to students without speaking down to them, adding that the campaign has sensitised the people without instilling fear in their mind.
The event was attended by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Justice JK Maheshwari, Justice Prasanna B Varale, Justice Manmohan, Justice Atul S Chandurkar from the Supreme Court of India, Chief Justice Shree Shekhar of the Bombay High Court, Justice Suman Shyam, senior judge of the Bombay High Court at Goa and the executive chairman of the Goa State Legal Services Authority, Justice Valmiki Menezes, judge of the Bombay High Court at Goa and the chairman of the High Court Legal Services Committee, senior judicial officers, legal services authority officials, and other dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister maintained that the state government has strict zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, calling drug abuse a serious social menace that turns “promises into pain” and destroys lives, especially those of the youth.
Goa is known for its peacefulness, culture and strong values. Protecting our youth from drugs is never optional, it is our moral duty, he said.
Sawant also said healthy options like sports and cultural activities will help keep young people away from drugs.
Our police force and the anti-narcotic cell act decisively. Drug traffickers are arrested, networks are being broken, and our state is under strict surveillance, supported by central agencies and modern technology, the Chief Minister said.
The special awareness campaign on ‘Drug Abuse – Drugs: A Menace to Society’ was organised by the Goa State Legal Services Authority.
