Drug-free society key to nation-building: SP
Anakapalli Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha has urged citizens, especially students and youth, to actively contribute to building a drug-free society, describing it as essential to nation-building.
Addressing an awareness programme at Bhashyam School in Gandhinagar, Yelamanchili, on Thursday, Mr. Sinha said the police were observing Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah from June 17 to 26 as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, a nationwide initiative of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The outreach initiatives are being conducted across the district ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed annually on June 26.
He said the district police had been organising awareness rallies, mass pledge drives, street plays, and cultural programmes to sensitise the public on the harmful effects of substance abuse. Stressing the role of youth in shaping the nation’s future, he urged students to make informed choices, avoid addictive substances, and support efforts to curb substance abuse and illicit trafficking. He also appealed to citizens to become “Nasha Mukti Mitras”.
Parawada Sub-Division In-charge Deputy Superintendent of Police B. Mohana Rao said surveillance had been stepped up to curb the transportation and sale of ganja and other narcotic substances, with special teams deployed around educational institutions and other youth congregation points.
He warned that stringent legal action, including the invocation of the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against habitual offenders, would be initiated against those involved in the illegal trade. Alongside enforcement, awareness programmes were being conducted in rural areas in coordination with gram panchayats, Women and Child Welfare officials, and community workers to strengthen preventive efforts at the grassroots level.
Mr. Mohana Rao urged the public and students to promptly report any information on the sale or distribution of narcotic substances, assuring the confidentiality of informants.
Later, Yelamanchili Circle Inspector Dhanunjaya Rao administered an anti-drug pledge to students, who resolved to stay away from narcotic substances and support nation-building.
Officials of the Women Police Station, NDPS wing, Women and Child Welfare Department, ICDS, Bhashyam School, and students from various institutions participated. The police said additional awareness programmes would be held across the district before the campaign concludes on June 26.