Hyderabad: The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking brought together the city’s youngsters in an event jointly organised by the police, government departments and social groups on Monday, with students and artists pledging to create awareness about drug abuse.
The event was held by the Telangana State Anti-Narcotics Bureau (T-Nab), the department for empowerment of persons with disabilities, senior citizens, transgenders and department of women and child welfare at the Shourya Convention Center in Yousufguda.
T-Nab officials said they spearheaded the campaign by tailoring it to the young demographic through interactive workshops and dialogues, by engaging them with visual content and tone.
Home minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, chief guest, lauded the T-Nab and police for their services, and reiterated the government’s resolve to root out drug menace.
Actress Krithi Shetty, who was also invited to the event, said she was happy to be vocal about this “noble cause” of awareness. “Good friends never force you to try drugs,” she told the attentive youngsters, urging them not to give in to peer pressure.
DGP Anjani Kumar, Hyderabad police commissioner C.V. Anand, who is also the T-Nab director, and other dignitaries urged the youth to adopt the mantra of ‘Say No To Drugs’.
Renowned artists Kavya (hula hoop and flow artist), Telugu rapper Pranav Changaty, Vyshnavi and team, and the Mahaa project band performed at the event.
The home minister awarded winners of short film (Ramkiran Reddy), singing (Rohini Kumari) and poster making (Jahnavi Vipin) competitions, gave rewards to police and developmental officials, and released a book on the occasion.
Bharathi Holikare, special secretary, and Shailaja, director, women and child welfare, Sunitha and G. Chakravarthy, SPs of T-Nab, took part in the event, Anand said in a press release.
