Hyderabad, Jun 22 (PTI) Telangana DGP C V Anand on Monday stressed that protecting the youth from the menace of drugs is essential to securing the nation’s future.
Speaking after inaugurating the ‘anti-drug awareness week’ organised by the Hyderabad police commissionerate here, he said that while the country had successfully overcome challenges such as terrorism and extremism, drug abuse had emerged as a serious threat, according to a press release.
Anand said drug consumption had increased in both urban and rural areas in the post-Covid period, adding that investigations had revealed that students who became addicted often drew their friends into the network.
“If there is no demand, there will be no supply. Therefore, reducing the demand for drugs is a collective responsibility of society,” he said.
He warned that drug traffickers were targeting children by lacing chocolates and biscuits with narcotics, calling such acts “anti-national”.
Anand appealed to families and society to help rehabilitate addicts by encouraging them to seek treatment at de-addiction centres.
He stressed that coordinated efforts involving the Education Department, Customs, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and other agencies were crucial to effectively tackle the menace.
The DGP advocated the establishment of Anti-Drug Safety Clubs in educational institutions to spread awareness among students.
Addressing the gathering, Yogita Rana, Principal Secretary, School Education Department, expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of drug abuse among school-going children.
Praveen Kumar Bharal, Joint Director of the Enforcement Directorate in Hyderabad, said drug consignments were increasingly being detected in parcels arriving from abroad.
Konduru Prasad, Additional Director General of the DRI’s Hyderabad Zonal Unit, said that India, once considered merely a transit country, was now witnessing a worrying rise in drug consumption.
He cautioned students that certain drugs have no colour or taste and can leave users intoxicated and unaware of their actions for nearly 48 hours.
The DGP said that a series of awareness programmes would be conducted across the state from June 22 to 26 in collaboration with schools, colleges, educational institutions, government departments and social organisations.
The programme was attended by Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar and other officials. PTI VVK SSK
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.