Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 2 (IANS): Kerala Excise and Local Self Government Minister M.V. Govindan on Saturday said the addiction free campaign of the state Excise Department and Vimukthi Mission will be ramped up by forming 'Vimukthi Clubs' in all the educational institutions before the Gandhi Jayanti next year.

Inaugurating a month-long, state-wide addiction free awareness campaign on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti celebrations here, the Minister said addiction-free programmes will be organised in over 20,000 wards in local self-government across the state with public participation.

The Minister said the campaign should take the message down to the ward level by enlisting the support of all sections of the society.

"We are living in times when even children fall prey to this evil. This will seriously affect the future generations. The activities of Vimukthi Mission should reach to all educational institutions in the state as our ultimate aim is to root out this menace", said Govindan.

Kerala Transport Minister Antony Raju said all should be alert to efforts by vested interests to sabotage programmes against addiction and this has to be properly factored in while planning and carrying out the addiction-free campaign.

A series of programmes will be held across the state during the month highlighting the consequences of addiction to drugs and intoxicants.

The main aim of the Vimukthi Mission is to spread awareness among the youth regarding the ill-effects of drug abuse.

Messages of Mahatma Gandhi, who waged a relentless battle against drug addiction through his constructive programmes, will be propagated on a mission mode as part of the campaign, whose prime target is youth.