Model Answer

Social influence is the ability to shape others’ attitudes and behaviour. Celebrities, civil servants and other public figures can therefore influence how young people perceive drug use.

Ethical Importance of Social Influence

1. Role modelling encourages healthy behaviour. e.g: Sportspersons promoting fitness and drug-free lifestyles.
2. Awareness creation can challenge the normalisation of substance abuse. e.g: Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
3. Positive persuasion can make rejecting drugs socially acceptable.
4. Empathetic leadership can reduce stigma around rehabilitation. e.g: IAS Owais Ahmed’s Bandipora campaign treated addicts as victims needing care.
5. Community mobilisation can convert awareness into collective action. e.g: IAS Kana Ram’s MANAS campaign in Hanumangarh combined awareness, counselling and youth engagement.
6. Administrative leadership can directly engage youth. e.g: IAS S. Malathi Helen led a student anti-drug awareness rally in Chennai.

Way Forward

1. Public figures should promote responsible choices through credible campaigns.
2. Civil servants should combine awareness, counselling and rehabilitation.
3. Social media should be used for positive peer influence.

Social influence becomes ethical leadership when public figures use their visibility to shape informed, healthy and responsible choices.