Pune: Rural Police Launch Anti-Drug Campaign, Focus On Youth Awareness And Rehabilitation

Pune Rural Police have initiated an anti-drug campaign named "The Courage to Say No to Drugs" under the leadership of Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Special Inspector General of Police for the Kolhapur Range. The primary goal is to raise awareness about the detrimental impacts of drug and substance addiction on individuals, families, and society.

The campaign brings together individuals battling addiction, those implicated in illicit trafficking of narcotics and other addictive substances, NGOs, and social organizations for counselling, guidance, and discussions centered around rehabilitation.

Despite numerous criminal cases registered against individuals involved in the illegal sale of narcotics, tobacco products, gutka, cigarettes, and liquor, some continue to be involved in such activities. The initiative aims to assist these individuals in steering clear of illegal businesses by offering them guidance, employment opportunities, and vocational training, thereby enabling them and their families to lead stable lives.

The campaign will focus heavily on students and young individuals, who are increasingly susceptible to substance abuse. Officials emphasize that addiction can have severe repercussions on physical and mental health, potentially leading to family disputes, financial losses, social problems, and an elevated risk of criminal activities.

Special awareness programs will be organized to motivate young people to steer clear of drugs and instead concentrate on education, sports, skill enhancement, and other productive activities. Initiatives concerning women's safety and cybercrime will also be part of the campaign.

Sharma announced that by August 15, awareness programs on drugs, cybercrime, traffic safety, and crimes against women will be conducted in schools and colleges across every district within the Kolhapur Range. Subsequently, live programs will be held in each district. The police also intend to assist individuals entangled in the illegal liquor trade in transitioning to alternative livelihoods. NGOs will aid in crafting rehabilitation and employment plans, which include vocational training and guidance for securing jobs.

Calling for heightened community involvement, Sharma urged parents, teachers, social organizations, villagers, and citizens to actively participate in the campaign and strive for creating an addiction-free environment within their respective areas. Officials stressed that individuals battling addiction should not be solely blamed or isolated; instead, they should be given proper counseling, guidance, and rehabilitation.

The campaign aims to promote the message 'Say No to Addiction, Say Yes to a Healthy Life', with the broader objective of fostering addiction-free families and a safer society. Senior police officials, medical professionals, counselors, representatives of NGOs, rehabilitation centers, and social organizations attended the awareness program, including Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill, Additional Superintendent of Police Dr Shubham Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police Avinash Shilimkar, and representatives from various de-addiction and rehabilitation organizations.