The Jharkhand government organized a district-level workshop themed "Say No to Drugs, Yes to Life" at the Nyay Sadan Auditorium on Wednesday, marking International Day Against Drug Abuse. The event was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Vijaya Jadhav, Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) Sandeep Kumar, AMC Chas Saurav Bhuvania, and Additional Collector Mohammad Mumtaz Ansari, among other district-level officials.
In her address, DC Vijaya Jadhav emphasized the critical role of parents and civil society in preventing drug abuse. She urged parents to spend quality time with their children and be attentive to their activities and associations. Additionally, she highlighted the need for civil society to monitor their surroundings, particularly in slum areas, to prevent drug-related activities. "Raising awareness about the adverse effects of drug use is the only way to curb this menace," she said.
The workshop also featured representatives from various departments, school students, and members of the public. Jadhav stressed the importance of community vigilance and proactive measures to keep the youth away from drugs.
DDC Sandeep Kumar addressed the harmful effects of drug use, urging participants to report any instances of drug trafficking or consumption to the authorities for immediate action. AMC Chas Saurav Kumar Bhuvania cautioned the youth against engaging in activities that could lead to legal consequences, emphasizing the importance of real-life lessons over fictional portrayals.
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Ranchi representative Kumar Manohar Manjul provided an overview of various types of drugs, the rising cases in the country, and the legal provisions in place. Kamendra Kushwaha from CIP Ranchi discussed the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals affected by drug abuse.
Civil Surgeon Dr. Dinesh Kumar highlighted that approximately 146 new children fall victim to addiction daily. He outlined the awareness programs conducted across all blocks, community health centers, and schools from June 19. The workshop also included a street play conveying the message "Say No to Drugs, Yes to Life," followed by participants taking an oath to abstain from drugs. Additionally, successful participants of recent drawing and speech competitions were awarded.
The event saw the presence of various officials, including District Transport Officer Vandana Shejwalkar, Traffic DSP Ashish Mahli, District Social Welfare Officer Purnima, Assistant Director of Social Security Piyush, Officer-in-Charge of General Branch Kumar Kanishk, DPRO Saket Kumar Pandey, and APRO Avinash Kumar Singh, alongside members of the social welfare and health departments.
