Jaipur: The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Rajasthan Unit organised a series of awareness programmes and cleanliness campaigns across opium cultivation areas on October 2, marking National Anti-Drug Addiction Day and the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The programmes focused on sensitising cultivators, students and local communities about the harmful effects of drug abuse and encouraging participation in efforts towards a drug-free society.
Awareness Session Held at University of Kota
Under Operation Yuva Raksha, the CBN’s Kota unit organised an awareness session at the University of Kota on drug abuse and its adverse effects.
Deputy Narcotics Commissioner, Kota, Naresh Bundel, interacted with students and discussed factors such as manipulation, peer pressure and social conditioning that can influence individuals towards substance use.
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The session also used presentations, videos and practical examples to explain the concepts of “Fast Mind” and “Slow Mind” and how initial exposure to addictive substances can progress towards repeated use, habit and dependence.
Students were encouraged to refuse addictive substances at the first instance and resist peer pressure. The programme concluded with participants taking the Drug De-Addiction Pledge (Nasha Mukti Pledge).
Outreach Across Opium Cultivation Areas
The CBN also conducted awareness programmes in several districts and divisions across Rajasthan.
The DOO, Kota, held a programme for opium cultivators in the Kota Division on the effects of opium, cannabis and other illicit drugs. Participants also took the “Oath for an Addiction-Free India”.
In Jhalawar, the DOO conducted an awareness programme in a poppy cultivation village near Babrikhda in Jhalrapatan tehsil, focusing on substance abuse and community participation in prevention efforts.
The Bhilwara unit organised a programme at the Sawaipur-Badala Bypass Highway, which was attended by local residents and opium cultivators.
Awareness and Cleanliness Drives
The Chittorgarh-I unit organised an awareness and cleanliness campaign at Menar village in Vallabhnagar tehsil of Udaipur district under the “Yuva Raksha and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan”.
The programme combined awareness on drug-free lifestyles with a cleanliness drive involving officials and local residents.
Meanwhile, the Chittorgarh-III unit held a programme at Mangrol, a poppy cultivation village, focusing on the physical, psychological and social consequences of drug abuse. The activity was also recorded in the proceedings of the Gram Sabha.
The Pratapgarh-II unit organised another awareness and cleanliness campaign at Gomana village in Chhoti Sadri, combining messages on cleanliness, drug-abuse prevention and healthy lifestyles.
CBN Emphasises Community Participation
The CBN said the programmes highlighted the role of local communities and cultivators in preventing drug abuse.
The activities were also linked to the significance of October 2, with the CBN recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s messages on self-discipline, social responsibility and a healthy society in the context of efforts against substance abuse.
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