Rallies, awareness events mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Rallies, awareness programmes, seminars and sensitisation events marked the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju and Anakapalli districts on Thursday.

A walkathon involving police, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), State Bank of India (SBI), Eagle Team, students from various colleges, youth, and people’s representatives was organised on Beach Road in Visakhapatnam.

Students from Andhra Medical College wore T-shirts depicting the theme of the day. Slogans were raised against the usage of ganja and other narcotic drugs.

NCC cadets and NSS volunteers, representatives from the legal service authority, health, women and child welfare, youth services and athletes also participated. They pledged support to make society free from drug abuse. The officials urged the youth to stay away from drugs.

(From left) GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg, Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad, MP M. Sribharat and Police Commissioner Shankabratha Bagchi taking a pledge in Visakhapatnam on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on Thursday.
| Photo Credit:
V. RAJU

Police Commissioner Shankabratha Bagchi cautioned the youth against experimenting with drugs under peer influence or for fun, saying that it could ruin lives. He expressed concern over the increasing number of young people becoming addicted to drugs, leading to the disintegration of families. He warned that drug abuse affects both mental and physical health and advised the youth to stay informed and vigilant.

Visakhapatnam Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad said that toll-free helpline numbers have been set up for reporting any activities related to substance abuse. He urged those who have fallen into the trap of addiction to seek help from rehabilitation centres.

He stressed that addicts should not be treated as criminals but as patients who need medical assistance. Rehabilitation centres have been established at the KGH and the Government Hospital for Mental Care at Pedawaltair, he said, adding that several voluntary organisations are working to support the victims of substance abuse.

MP M. Sribharat opined that the enforcement agencies must take stringent measures to prevent the accessibility of drugs. He noted that initiatives like the Eagle Team at the State level have already started, and similar mechanisms should be adopted at the district level as well.

Meanwhile, scores of tribal students and staff from various government departments led by Alluri Sitharama Raju district District Collector A.S. Dinesh Kumar and Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar took part in a rally at Paderu.

An awareness meeting was organised, where the officials spoke about the harmful effects and consequences of drug abuse. Additional SP K. Dheeraj, Chintapalli ASP Navajyoti Mishra, Paderu DSP Sahabaj Mohammed and others took part in the programme.