‘Abhyudaya’ rally aims to encourage youth to stay away from drug abuse

Anakapalli: With an aim to make Anakapalli a drug-free district, a grand ‘Abhyudaya’ cycle rally was organised here on Tuesday. The rally was flagged off at NTR Jaggery Market Yard in Anakapalli town to encourage youths to stay away from drugs.

Creating awareness about drugs and their implications, students, officials and public participated widely in the programme. Along with others, Students from Dadi Institute of Engineering and Technology (DIET) and Aditya College presented an impressive skit and created awareness among the locals about the ill-effects of drugs.

Speaking on the occasion, Anakapalli MLA Konathala Rama Krishna expressed concern over how a drug epidemic was taking shape and that the drug abuse had increased by 200 percent in the last decade. The MLA suggested that drug awareness workshops should be made mandatory in every educational institution.

Stressing on the effective measures to be taken to eradicate drugs, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Gopinath Jatti said that the Abhyudaya cycle yatra hasbecome a public movement. The DIG said that despite conducting more than 20,000 anti-drug programmes in the last four months, awareness still needs to be increased. “Our aim is to reach out to every household, every person and convey the importance of leading a drug-free life”, he added.

Suggesting students to stay away from any form of addiction, Anakapalli district collector Vijaya Krishnan stated that not only drugs but any habit including social media should not become an addiction. She advised the students that their future is in their hands and that they could mould it in any manner they wish to.

Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha said that as part of the DIG's innovative idea, the rally has been launched and it would continue for a month, reaching out to five districts. The SP stated that in the last one and half years, awareness against drug abuse was created among 3,500 schools, villages through the ‘Sankalpam’ programme. State Urban Finance Corporation Chairman Peela Govinda Satyanarayana Youth should move forward with a goal to reach higher positions, they should not become addicted to any bad habits. He said that the yatra is delivering a clear message about the ill-effects of drugs in every village and every town that falls under the jurisdiction of Visakhapatnam range. He said that it is crucial for the police, as well as the community, parents and teachers to work together to fight against drug abuse.