Raipur Police, UNODC conduct Anti-Drug Awareness Programme Among Thousands of Children Under Nijaat Campaign: MLA Purandar Mishra Administers Oath Against Drug Use, and MLA Anuj Sharma Advises Children Not to Succumb to Peer Pressure

RaipurUnder the “Nijaat” campaign, Raipur Police are continuously cracking down on illegal drug trafficking. Additionally, a widespread public awareness campaign is being conducted daily, reaching out to people, youth, and children to educate them on the harmful effects of drugs. As part of this initiative, an anti-drug awareness programme was organized at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Auditorium for various NGOs and over 1,200 school students from the district.The chief guest, MLA Purandar Mishra of Raipur North, spoke about how drugs harm families and society. He explained how a family might lack funds for a child’s school fees, yet someone addicted to drugs manages to find money for their habit, leading to the gradual disintegration of the family. He also had the attendees pledge not to indulge in drugs.MLA Anuj Sharma, presiding over the event, said that life presents many situations where peer pressure or circumstances might lead one towards drugs. He emphasized maintaining strong willpower and resisting such pressures.

SSP Santosh Kumar Singh elaborated on the three-dimensional aspects of the Nijaath campaign, stating that if one must be addicted, it should be to achieving high positions, prestige, and respect, thereby striving to do well in life.Members of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) team from Delhi, including Communication Officer Samarth Pathak for UNODC South Asia, Ashok Pandey, Fellow at Global Peace Foundation USA, and Dr. Satyabhushan Singh, NCERT Professor, conveyed that staying away from drugs leads to a positive direction in life. They added that good education and a positive environment are essential for a country’s inclusive development. Notably, UNODC has been associated with the Nijaath campaign for the past year.Children from Lavanya Foundation and Kopal Vani Foundation, who are differently abled (deaf and mute), delivered a beautiful and touching performance on the adverse effects of drugs, mesmerizing the audience.The programme was conducted by Additional Superintendent of Police Mamta Dewangan. Also present were Additional SP City Lakhan Patle, Kirtan Rathore, Daulatram Porte, CSP Aman Jha, Karn Uke, Rajesh Devangan, Kesari Nayak, police staff, and thousands of school children. The event was successfully organized with the support of Inspectors Rohit Malekar, Surendra Srivastava, and Tikrapara police staff.