Governor Anandi Ben Patel Raises Drug Concerns Over University Hostels in Meerut

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Governor Anandi Ben Patel has raised serious concerns over the alleged availability of drugs and alcohol around university hostels, claiming that she personally witnessed empty liquor bottles outside hostels during visits to nearly 15 universities.

Speaking at the 38th convocation ceremony of Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut, the Uttar Pradesh Governor said the issue of substance abuse among young people requires urgent attention from university authorities, hostel administrations and society at large.

Her remarks have brought renewed focus to the growing concerns surrounding drug use among students and the responsibility of educational institutions to provide a safe environment for young people. The Governor’s comments also highlighted the need for closer monitoring of hostel premises and the activities taking place around university campuses.

During her address, Anandi Ben Patel said she had visited hostels at around 15 universities and had come across situations that concerned her deeply. According to the Governor, liquor bottles were found lying outside some hostels, raising questions about the accessibility of alcohol to students living on university campuses.

She also alleged that drugs were reaching hostels through food deliveries coming from outside. The Governor said she had brought the matter to the attention of hostel managements and vice-chancellors and had even shown them photographs related to what she had observed during her visits.

“I have visited the hostels of nearly 15 universities. Outside, I found liquor bottles lying there. Drugs are also reaching hostels through the food that comes from outside,” the Governor said, according to her remarks at the event.

Anandi Ben Patel further said that she had shown photographs of such incidents to hostel managements and university vice-chancellors. Her statement placed the spotlight on the systems universities use to monitor student hostels, visitors, food deliveries and other activities taking place within or around residential facilities.

The Governor’s comments came while addressing students at a major academic event attended by university officials, faculty members and graduates. A convocation ceremony traditionally celebrates academic achievement and marks the beginning of a new phase in the lives of students. However, her remarks shifted attention toward a broader social challenge that continues to affect young people across the country.

The issue of substance abuse has become a significant concern for families, educational institutions and policymakers. Students living away from home often experience a new level of independence, and universities have a crucial role in ensuring that this freedom does not expose them to harmful influences.

Hostels, in particular, can become vulnerable spaces if authorities do not maintain effective security and monitoring systems. The movement of outsiders, food delivery personnel and other service providers can make it difficult for institutions to keep track of what enters residential premises. At the same time, students may face pressure from peers or social groups that can influence their choices.

The Governor’s remarks appear to underline the importance of addressing these risks before they develop into larger problems. While universities are expected to focus on education and academic development, their responsibility also extends to the overall well-being and safety of students.

Speaking directly about the dangers of substance abuse, Anandi Ben Patel urged young people to stay away from drugs and reject the idea that intoxication can provide an answer to personal or social problems.

“We have not even been drinking tea for four generations, while you have become addicted to drugs. Leave this,” she said, stressing the need for young people to avoid substance abuse.

The Governor also warned that drugs cannot solve any problem. Instead, she said, addiction gradually destroys an individual’s dreams, talent and health while also damaging the hopes and expectations of their family.

Her warning reflected the wider consequences of addiction, which often extend beyond the individual. Substance abuse can affect education, career prospects, relationships and mental and physical well-being. Families can also face emotional and financial difficulties when a young person becomes dependent on drugs.

For students, the consequences can be particularly serious. Drug addiction may lead to declining academic performance, absenteeism, social isolation and health problems. In severe cases, it can derail an individual’s education and long-term career plans.

The Governor’s remarks also raise questions about the mechanisms universities have in place to prevent substance abuse. Hostel administrators and university authorities may need to strengthen awareness programmes, improve monitoring and create channels through which students can seek help without fear or stigma.

At the same time, experts and authorities often stress that prevention cannot rely only on surveillance or disciplinary action. Students struggling with addiction may require counselling, medical support and rehabilitation. Universities can play an important role by ensuring that students have access to professional guidance and by encouraging them to seek help at an early stage.

The alleged movement of drugs through outside food deliveries, as mentioned by the Governor, also highlights the challenges faced by hostel administrations in maintaining campus security. Any such allegation requires proper investigation by the concerned authorities, and universities may need to examine whether existing entry and delivery protocols are sufficient.

The remarks also put responsibility on parents and families to remain connected with students who live away from home. Regular communication and emotional support can help families identify behavioural changes at an early stage. However, addressing addiction requires a coordinated approach involving students, parents, universities, healthcare professionals and law enforcement agencies.

The Governor’s appeal at the Meerut convocation was therefore not limited to a warning against drugs. It was also a message about the broader responsibility of educational institutions to protect the environment in which young people study, live and prepare for their future.

As universities across India continue to expand their campuses and residential facilities, concerns over student safety and substance abuse are likely to remain an important issue. The challenge for institutions will be to balance effective monitoring with student welfare while ensuring that those facing addiction receive the support they need.

The comments by Anandi Ben Patel have once again brought the conversation around drugs in educational institutions into the public spotlight. Her appeal to students was direct: substance abuse cannot provide a solution to life’s problems and can instead destroy the very ambitions and opportunities that young people spend years working toward.

For students receiving their degrees at the 38th convocation of Chaudhary Charan Singh University, the Governor’s message served as a reminder that academic success is only one part of building a meaningful future. Protecting one’s health, staying away from addiction and making responsible choices are equally important in determining what comes next.