Sri Ganganagar: As part of the Drug-Free Sri Ganganagar Campaign, being conducted under the leadership of District Collector Dr Amit Yadav and Superintendent of Police Harishankar, a drug de-addiction awareness programme and e-pledge ceremony were organised for young people at Surendra Dental College.
The programme was held to mark six years of the Drug-Free India Campaign. A large number of students and young people participated and pledged to stay away from drugs and work towards protecting their families, society and the country from the growing problem of substance abuse.
Addressing the gathering, Vikram Jyani of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment said that Sri Ganganagar is not merely a city or district but represents the vision, foresight and hard work of Maharaja Ganga Singh. He recalled that the region once struggled for every drop of water, before the efforts of Maharaja Ganga Singh brought irrigation water through canals, transforming an area once considered part of the desert into one of Rajasthan’s prosperous agricultural regions.
He said that seeing the same land, which earlier generations nurtured with water and hard work, being affected by drug abuse is a matter of deep concern.
Jyani told students that the 100th foundation anniversary of Sri Ganganagar is not merely an occasion for celebration but also an opportunity to fulfil their responsibility towards their land and community. He appealed to young people to pledge on this historic occasion that they would stay away from drugs and make efforts to help at least one other young person in their surroundings remain free from substance abuse.
Free counselling is available for mental health or behavioural issues related to substance abuse through the Tele-MANAS helpline at 1800-89-14416 and 14416. The Drug De-addiction Helpline 14446 can also be used for assistance.
At the conclusion of the programme, Shri Sahi Ram and Shri Praveen Kumar led the youth in a collective pledge to stay away from drugs, encourage their friends and peers to avoid substance abuse and actively contribute to the campaign to make Sri Ganganagar drug-free.