CV Anand exhorts youth to join hands to combat drug menace

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Government has taken serious efforts to combat drug menace in the state, said Commissioner of Hyderabad City Police and Director of the Telangana State Anti-Narcotics Bureau on Saturday.

The Telangana State Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TSNAB) launched a three-day state-wide campaign on Saturday in collaboration with the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Transgender Persons.

CV Anand, speaking at the campaign's inauguration, urged all youngsters to join the Mission Parivarthana group of anti-drug soldiers and become members of the anti-drug committees that the government planned to establish at all academic institutions across the state.

TSNAB's historic campaign, held at the Telangana State Police Integrated Command and Control Centre (TSPICCC), aimed at combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking, raising awareness, educating youngsters, and breaking the stigma - coinciding with the upcoming International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, 2023.

A series of events were organised to encourage and empower youngsters to join the fight against drugs.The diversity of activities included an open competition to name the campaign's mascot, an oath-taking ceremony where young individuals enthusiastically enrolled themselves as Anti-Drug Soldiers, a cultural expo, a fireside chat session with Traithlete Neil D’silvha, and an enlightening panel discussion.

As the campaign gained momentum, the campaign's Chief Guest, popular actor Nikhil, delivered a compelling address emphasising the necessity of collaborative action in combatting the drug problem and urging young people to abstain from narcotics. “It's not cool, " he said.

Actor Priyadarshi regaled the audience with his witty speech and urged them to be vigilant.

The youth and all participants were riveted to the speech of Neil D'silvha, a triathlete who had been vocal about his transformative journey to becoming a triathlete and a training director. "The main factors that drive the vulnerable to try drugs are peer pressure and curiosity, he said.

“Explore what feeds your soul because unless you find it, distractions in life haunt you no matter how much you earn or what profession you take up," said Neil. He advised intensely to cutdown the screentime and fix to a usual healthy routine.

The "People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention" panel discussion brought together expert psychologists, academics, professionals, and other subject matter experts who presented medical facts, insights, and shed light on intricate aspects, fostering a holistic understanding of the addiction issue.