Patna: The state govt will launch a month-long anti-drug awareness campaign from Oct 27 to Nov 26 to curb substance abuse among youth and the public. CM Samrat Choudhary is scheduled to flag off the Nasha Mukti Vahini on Oct 27.Organised by the Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department, the campaign will highlight the harmful effects of alcohol, ganja, smack, charas and other intoxicants. It aims to raise awareness about the impact of addiction on health, families, society and the future of young people.According to a statement issued by the I&PRD on Sunday, the department has devised a multi-pronged outreach strategy to carry the message from urban centres to panchayats. Awareness activities will include social media campaigns, audio-visual messages, radio jingles, and posters and banners displayed on municipal vehicles.Street plays, human chains and pledge-taking programmes will be organised at prominent intersections and public places. Selfie points promoting a drug-free Bihar will also be set up at key locations, the statement said.Special awareness drives will be conducted at Chhath Puja ghats to reach large gatherings of devotees during the festival.Women associated with Jeevika will serve as Nasha Mukti Mitras, visiting households to educate families about the consequences of substance abuse. The Brahma Kumaris will conduct awareness sessions at Jeevika Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) and educational institutions across the state.Schools and colleges will organise debates, essay-writing, poetry recitation, poster-making and sports competitions to encourage students to stay away from intoxicants. The campaign seeks to involve students, families and community groups in spreading awareness about addiction and its broader social impact.The department has also urged people to report alcohol- and drug-related activities through its toll-free helplines.
