UNODC, Raipur Police collaborate for anti-drug workshop under “Nijaat” campaign

Raipur: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been actively involved in the police’s anti-drug campaign and awareness programme “Nijaat” for the past year. A team from UNODC visited Raipur and organized a significant workshop at NH Goel World School, engaging education experts and students from across the city.The workshop’s primary focus was to instil the values of peace and the rule of law in the youth and to devise strategies to keep them away from social evils like drugs, steering them towards constructive and positive activities.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Santosh Kumar Singh addressed the participants, emphasizing the importance of staying away from drugs and adopting positive measures. “Staying away from drugs is crucial for the youth, and engaging in positive activities can lead to a healthier, more productive life,” said SSP Singh.Samarth Pathak, Communication Officer UNODC South Asia, highlighted the collaborative efforts in his speech. “In this RiseUp4Peace workshop, organized in collaboration with UNODC and Raipur Police, we deliberated on ways to incorporate peace, rule of law, and integrity in education. The role of teachers is crucial in nurturing these values. This is the first step of this collaboration, and the efforts made by them can bring long-term positive changes in the students,” stated Pathak.Ashok Pandey, Fellow of Global Peace Foundation USA, provided insights into the origins of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasized Goal 16 in the context of education. He presented a comprehensive roadmap for peace and education, suggesting activities such as Human Rights Clubs, Model United Nations, volunteerism, and community service, all aimed at promoting cooperation, inclusion, and peace.Dr. Satyabhushan from NCERT elaborated on the empowerment aspects of NEP 2020 and NCFSE 2023. “NEP 2020 and NCFSE 2023 empower teachers and students to develop peaceful and inclusive societies,” Dr. Satyabhushan remarked.The UNODC team also engaged with the students, answering their questions and providing guidance.The workshop was conducted under the able leadership of Additional Superintendent of Police Mamta Dewangan. The event was made possible with the support of NH Goel World School’s Director S.K. Tomar, Vice Principal Preeti Sharma, CSP Aman Jha, Kesari Nayak, TI Mukesh Sharma, and the dedicated school team.