Our correspondent
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday marked the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking with massive awareness drives, community participation, and student engagement across multiple districts.
In Doimukh, the event at government higher secondary school saw Papum Pare deputy commissioner Vishakha Yadav urging students to stay away from drugs and focus on holistic development.
She raised concerns over increasing drug infiltration via porous interstate boundaries and emphasised that regular visits by administrative and DDSE officials to schools would help keep youth motivated and guided.
Papum Pare SP Taru Gusar in his address, called for collective efforts against the drug menace, describing how drugs are ‘breaking families, destroying societies, and devastating generations’.
The program featured testimonies like that of a rehabilitated youth from AMA’s Vision Foundation, powerful skits by students, and a pledge ceremony.
A signature campaign and a walk-in exhibition highlighted both NMBA activities and key citizen entitlements under the Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan such as adhaar, Ayushman Bharat cards, PM-KISAN, and scholarship schemes.
Essay and poster competition winners were felicitated during the event.
Namsai district observed the day at the Town Club under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner, who appealed for clean and drug-free villages.
Twelve students received awards and appreciation under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) for their work in drawing and essay contests. Simultaneous rallies and awareness campaigns with prize distributions were also held in Chowkham and Lekang blocks.
In Sagalee, the administration held a community rally from General Ground to Old Market with participation from HODs, market committees, and the general public.
Participants were introduced to the national narcotics helpline (1933) and took a pledge against substance abuse.
A separate awareness program at government HSS Sagalee included talks by ADC Yame Higio and police officials, with students receiving educational materials and sweets.
Lower Siang district hosted the formal launch of a 100-day anti-drug campaign under NMBA at govt HSS auditorium in Likabali.
Deputy commissioner Rujjum Rakshap emphasised community-wide involvement and urged youths to become campaign leaders, calling them the ‘most vulnerable yet powerful force’against addiction.
The campaign will run until October 4, covering all district circles.
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