Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition Department organized a state-level awareness programme on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at Chaudhary Charan Singh Auditorium, Sahkarita Bhawan, Lucknow. The event was held under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (Drug-Free India Campaign) as part of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
The programme featured a prohibition exhibition, seminar and various awareness activities aimed at educating the public about the harmful effects of substance abuse and promoting a drug-free society.
Nitin Agarwal, Uttar Pradesh Minister of Excise and Prohibition (Independent Charge), attended the event as the chief guest, while Anurag Yadav, Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department, was present as the special guest.
The programme commenced with the inauguration and inspection of the prohibition exhibition by the dignitaries, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. The Excise Minister also administered a pledge to participants, urging them to stay away from intoxicants and motivate others to do the same.
Addressing the gathering, Nitin Agarwal expressed deep concern over the growing prevalence of substance abuse, particularly among young people. He recalled that the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2020, with the objective of protecting citizens, especially youth, from the dangers of addiction.
The Minister said that India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047 places a significant responsibility on its youth, who constitute the largest youth population in the world. He emphasized that safeguarding young people from addiction and channeling their energy toward nation-building is a collective responsibility of society.
He noted that both central and state government agencies are continuously working to curb substance abuse and called upon non-governmental organizations, social groups and civil society institutions to actively support awareness campaigns being conducted by the Prohibition Department.
Referring to Uttar Pradesh’s economic progress, Agarwal said the state is growing rapidly and has emerged as one of the country’s leading economies. He reiterated that addiction has become a global challenge and described substance abuse as a social curse that adversely affects families, communities and national development.
Principal Secretary Anurag Yadav also voiced concern over the increasing use of narcotic substances and stressed that the mission of a drug-free India requires active participation from every section of society. He remarked that government efforts alone cannot achieve the desired results without widespread public involvement.
The programme also featured an expert session by Dr. P.K. Srivastava, a psychiatrist from Balrampur Hospital, who explained the psychosocial factors behind substance abuse and highlighted preventive measures and treatment approaches. The event was moderated by Shashank Verma.
During the programme, winners of various competitions organized by the Prohibition Department on June 19 as part of the awareness campaign were honoured with prizes and certificates by the chief guest and other dignitaries.
State Prohibition Officer R.L. Rajvanshi presented an overview of the department’s achievements and ongoing initiatives under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
Among those present were Regional Prohibition Officer, Lucknow, Ramesh Kumar, District Prohibition Officer Neetu Verma, and departmental officials Vimal Kumar, Brijmohan, Shrikant Singh, and Sankata Prasad.
The programme concluded with a renewed call for collective action to combat drug abuse and create a healthier, safer and addiction-free society.
