Apex Court says 'cool, fashionable' drug culture is dangerous

The arc and web of drug trade cannot be permitted to corrode the shine of the youth of India, it noted

NEW DELHI: Observing drug consumption in popular culture was propelling youngsters towards a dangerous lifestyle, one that incorrigibly applauded drug use as "cool" and a "fashionable" display of camaraderie, the Supreme Court on Monday said the approach was not to demonise but to rehabilitate them.

A bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice N Kotiswar Singh made the remark while pronouncing a judgment on the bail plea of a man accused in a case involving 500 kilograms of heroin smuggled from Pakistan to India.

"We implore the youth to take charge of their decisional autonomy and firmly resist peer pressure and desist from emulation of certain personalities who may be indulging in drugs," the bench said.