Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Aug 23: As part of a two-month long awareness and sensitization drive against drug abuse, Udupi district police and Udupi district Working Journalists Association jointly organised ‘Selfie with Sign Campaign’ at Big Bazaar, Udupi here on Wednesday, August 22.
T Venkatesh Naik, district and session court judge launched the awareness drive by signing on the board.
“Youth are becoming the victims of drug addiction. It is an evil to the society and it affects economic development. Hence, the ‘Drugs and Cosmetics Act -1940’ and ‘Drugs and Cosmetics Rules -1945’ were framed to prevent drug abuse. Now drug abuse is a punishable offence. There is need to set up more de-addiction centres and launch creative awareness programmes,” Venkatesh Naik said.
Film and theatre artiste, director Sundar Rai Mandara said that teenage is a crucial phase in one’s life as at this age one can be misled. “If a person becomes addicted to drugs, his entire life will spoil. The police department is doing their best to stop drug abuse. Let us all pledge to say ‘No to drugs’,” he advised.
“The sign campaign is a very good initiative which will successfully capture the attention of the public and help in creating awareness,” said Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis.
Superintendent of police (SP) Lakshman Nimbargi, while delivering the keynote address, said, “Over 80% of the people are not aware of the dangerous impact of drug abuse. We have been organising 12 various kinds of programmes such as cyclothon, marathon, short film making contest as part of the two month long campaign. It aims to create awareness among students and public. The police department is putting its best effort in preventing drug related offences.”
Hundreds of students as well as the public participated in the campaign.
Raghavendra K, manager, Big Bazaar Udupi, Joel Soans, managing trustee, Acumen Training Institute Mangaluru, Ganesh Prasad Pandelu, president, UDWJA were present.
Pallavi Santhosh welcomed the gathering and Ashok Poojary rendered vote of thanks. Nagaraj Rao compered the programme.