Determined to fight the rising menace of drug abuse in the picturesque town of Lonavala in Maharashtra, 2020-batch IPS officer Karthik Madhira launched the Sankalp Nashamukti Abhiyan soon after taking charge as ASP. With Lonavala gaining notoriety over the last few years for drug-related issues among students and weekend tourists, Mr. Karthik aims to create get rid of this tag and protect the town’s tourism industry from negative repercussions.
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Karthik shared details about the initiatives against drugs that he started in May this year.
TACKLING DRUGS MENACE
The comprehensive initiative consists of four crucial components. The first involves implementing legal actions against drug consumption and supply. Since assuming his role, Mr. Karthik and his team have initiated numerous actions targeting both drug users and suppliers within the Lonavala Sub-Division.
Recognizing the importance of awareness generation, the second component focuses on educating the youth and tourists about the dangers of drug addiction. To kick-start this endeavour, the officer organized a 5km marathon to raise awareness about drug abuse. “The event garnered significant attention, with approximately 3,500 participants, including renowned actor Suniel Shetty and esteemed police officers such as Pune Gramin SP Ankit Goyal taking part in it,” Mr. Karthik shared with Indian Masterminds.
AWARENESS SESSIONS
After the success of the marathon, Mr. Karthik’s team now conducts awareness sessions in schools and colleges throughout the division. On the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, he personally visited educational institutions to enlighten students about the perils of drug addiction. These efforts aim to inspire the younger generation and dissuade them from falling victim to substance abuse.
COUNSELLING AND REHABILITATION
The third component of the initiative entails providing counselling sessions to identified addicts, particularly youths in schools and colleges. By addressing the root causes of addiction and offering support, the officer hopes to prevent further entrapment into the world of drugs.
Finally, the initiative places great emphasis on rehabilitation, aiming to reintegrate addicts into mainstream society. Mr. Karthik aspires to positively impact young lives during his tenure in Lonavala, as part of a joint effort between Lonavala Police and Pune Gramin Police.
“The response to Sankalp Nashamukti Abhiyan has been overwhelming, with individuals drawing inspiration from the proactive approach of the police force in tackling the issue head-on,” Mr. Karthik said.
TAKING CARE OF LONAVALA’S REPUTATION
Further to ensure effective implementation, each officer from the four police stations in Mr. Karthik’s division (including the officer) will be assigned two or three schools or colleges. They will take responsibility for conducting sessions and actively working towards rehabilitating those involved in drug abuse, thereby reintegrating them into mainstream society.
Through the Sankalp Nashamukti Abhiyan, IPS officer Karthik Madhira hopes to create a paradigm shift in Lonavala, transforming it into a ‘model drug-free town’. With a comprehensive approach encompassing legal action, awareness generation, counselling, and rehabilitation, the young IPS officer’s efforts aim to secure a brighter future for the youth and preserve the allure of Lonavala as a tourist destination.
