Special Anti-Drug Workshops to Be Organised in Educational Institutions in Dehradun
DM Dr Ashish Chauhan Directs 100% Student E-Pledge Completion by October 18
Dehradun: In a bid to raise awareness among young people about the harmful effects of substance abuse and strengthen efforts to prevent drug use, the Dehradun district administration has decided to intensify anti-drug awareness activities across educational institutions.
A meeting with principals of various universities and colleges in the district was held on Tuesday at the Rishiparna Auditorium at the Collectorate under the chairmanship of District Magistrate Dr Ashish Chauhan.
During the meeting, the District Magistrate directed all government and private universities and colleges to organise special workshops on drug de-addiction and substance abuse prevention. He said that merely conducting awareness campaigns would not be sufficient to keep young people away from drugs. Active participation of students, along with access to accurate and scientific information about the consequences of substance abuse, is equally important.
100% Student E-Pledge Target by October 18
The District Magistrate directed all educational institutions to ensure that 100% of their students take the e-pledge by October 18. He also instructed institutions to constitute Anti-Drugs Campus Committees in accordance with the prescribed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
He further directed universities and colleges to organise as many anti-drug awareness workshops as possible on their campuses. Students should be provided with scientific and factual information about the physical, mental and social effects of substance abuse, enabling them to understand the risks associated with drug use and make informed choices for a healthy lifestyle.
Students to Be Informed About Counselling and Support Services
Dr Chauhan emphasised the need to ensure that students are also made aware of the counselling and support resources available for preventing substance abuse and assisting those who may require help.
He directed educational institutions to integrate anti-drug activities with regular academic and co-curricular programmes. He also stressed the need for wider publicity of the MANAS Helpline-1933, so that students are aware of the available assistance and support mechanisms related to substance abuse.
Educational Institutions Have a Key Role in Building a Drug-Free Society
The District Magistrate said that universities and colleges are not merely centres of education but also important institutions for shaping young people’s personalities, fostering positive thinking and laying the foundation for a healthy future. Therefore, educational institutions have a significant role to play in building a drug-free society.
He urged all universities and colleges to make anti-drug workshops effective, participatory and result-oriented, while ensuring the involvement of the maximum possible number of students. He said the objective of such initiatives should be not only to provide correct information but also to encourage students to contribute to creating a positive and drug-free environment on their campuses.
During the meeting, principals of various universities and colleges also shared their suggestions for making the anti-drug campaign more effective.
Additional District Magistrate (Administration) Smrita Parmar, SDM Ravindra Jwantha, District Social Welfare Officer Deepankar Ghildiyal, Director of Higher Education Dr Deepa Mehra Rawat, Nodal Officer Ranjana Saini, CIMS Group Chairman Advocate Lalit Mohan Joshi, along with principals of various universities and colleges, were present at the meeting.
