The government’s goal is to create a drug-free Nava Kerala, Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice R. Bindu has said. The Minister was speaking at the district-level launch of the Union government’s initiative, Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, (Drug-Free India Campaign) organised by the Social Justice department.

“The government and society are working together to implement strategies aimed at creating a drug-free community in our State. The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice, has shaped many initiatives, with the most notable being the Azad Sena, which was formed under the leadership of the National Service Scheme (NSS),” the Minister said.

She said the increasing use of drugs among youth was leaving a devastating impact on society. Everyone must strive to tackle these anti-social tendencies. She urged NSS and NCC students to join the fight against drugs. The Excise department is also organising numerous awareness programmes to help educate the public.

Message via Thullal

The event also featured an anti-drug message delivered through an Ottanthullal performance by Ernakulam Assistant Excise Inspector V. Jayaraj. The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is a programme initiated and implemented by the Union government to reduce the use of narcotic substances. To manage the campaign, a district-level committee has been formed with the District Collector as the chairman, and an action plan has been put in place.

The event at Thrissur Town Hall was presided over by Assistant Excise Commissioner P.K. Satish. District panchayat president V.S. Prince was the chief guest.