Thousands of students across India took to the streets on Thursday in a coordinated anti-drug awareness rally spearheaded by the Directorate of Education, marking the culmination of a month-long national campaign against substance abuse.
The initiative, aligned with the observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, was part of the Ministry of Education’s broader enforcement drive to create tobacco- and drug-free educational environments. The campaign, which began on World No Tobacco Day (May 31), aimed to enforce Section 6(b) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and promote the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Guidelines.
In Delhi, students from over 200 government and private schools participated in rallies, human chains, and street plays, carrying placards with messages such as “Say No to Drugs” and “Choose Life, Not Addiction.” The events were flagged off by senior officials from the Directorate of Education and the Delhi Police Narcotics Division.
Addressing students at the central rally near India Gate, Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar emphasized the importance of early intervention. “Our youth are the backbone of a Viksit Bharat. Protecting them from the scourge of drugs is not just a policy goal—it’s a national imperative,” he said.
Similar rallies were held in cities including Hyderabad, Kochi, Madurai, and Tiruchirapalli. In Hyderabad, over 5,000 students from 100 institutions formed a human chain at Necklace Road, while in Kochi, students performed flash mobs and Natyayoga routines to raise awareness.
The campaign also featured seminars, poster competitions, and anti-drug pledges administered by district collectors, police commissioners, and school principals. In Madurai, students from Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College pledged to remain drug-free, while in Nellore and Ongole, rallies drew participation from students, self-help groups, and local officials.
The Ministry of Education has urged all states and union territories to continue enforcement and awareness efforts beyond the campaign period. A nationwide quiz on the MyGov platform remains live until July 21 to further engage students in understanding the dangers of substance abuse.
With growing concerns over adolescent drug use, the Directorate’s initiative underscores a collective push to foster safe, healthy, and informed learning environments across the country.
The Ministry of Education has urged all states and union territories to continue enforcement and awareness efforts beyond the campaign period. A nationwide quiz on the MyGov platform remains live until July 21 to further engage students in understanding the dangers of substance abuse.
With growing concerns over adolescent drug use, the Directorate’s initiative underscores a collective push to foster safe, healthy, and informed learning environments across the country.
