Chandigarh, Aug. 8 -- Calling mothers the first line of defence against drug abuse, Punjab governor and Chandigarh administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday urged them to take the lead in preventing children from falling prey to addiction, saying the mother-child bond can act as the strongest shield against substance abuse.

Addressing a workshop on "mothers against drugs", organised by the Punjab LIT Foundation and the Chandigarh education department at PM SHRI Government Girls Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 18, Kataria said preventing drug abuse required a collective effort by families, schools, religious organisations and society.

Appreciating the campaign's focus on mothers, Kataria described the decision as a "masterstroke"...