Sri Vijaya Puram, July 22: South Andaman has intensified its anti-drug campaign under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan with expanded awareness programmes in educational institutions and a high-level Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) meeting, reinforcing a coordinated approach to tackle drug abuse and illicit trafficking through prevention, public outreach and enforcement.
As part of the ongoing campaign, the South Andaman District Police conducted awareness programmes at PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School, R.K. Pur; Government Model Senior Secondary School, Hut Bay; Government Model Senior Secondary School, Dignabad, Sri Vijaya Puram; and Government Senior Secondary School, Shaheed Dweep. The programmes reached more than 700 students and 55 teachers.
During the sessions, police officers educated students about the physical, mental, social and legal consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. They also explained the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and encouraged students to resist peer pressure and make responsible life choices.
Interactive sessions were organised to encourage students to become ambassadors of the anti-drug movement by spreading awareness among their families, friends and local communities. Participating students also took the Nasha Mukti Pledge, reaffirming their commitment towards building a drug-free and healthy society.
The awareness programmes were conducted by Inspector Vijay Kumar, Station House Officer of Aberdeen Police Station, Sub-Inspector Debrata Raha of Hut Bay Police Station, Sub-Inspector Abhishek, Lady Police Constable Prisca, PRAYAS members and other police personnel as part of the district police’s preventive policing and youth outreach initiatives.
The campaign coincided with a meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) Committee of South Andaman District, convened on July 21 under the chairmanship of District Magistrate Purva Garg. The meeting reviewed measures to strengthen coordinated efforts against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the district.
During the meeting, stakeholders emphasised the need to institutionalise sustained awareness campaigns highlighting the social, health and economic impact of drug abuse. Discussions focused on expanding public outreach, particularly among young people and other vulnerable sections of society, while encouraging greater community participation in anti-drug initiatives.
The District Magistrate directed all stakeholders to strengthen inter-agency coordination, enhance collaborative partnerships and adopt a unified strategy to combat the drug menace. The meeting also stressed reinforcing enforcement mechanisms, expanding awareness initiatives and ensuring timely sharing of intelligence among all concerned agencies.
The Superintendent of Police, South Andaman, reiterated that the district police will continue awareness programmes, community outreach initiatives and enforcement measures under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan to protect youth from drug abuse. The public has also been urged to report information related to drug trafficking or substance abuse through the MANAS Helpline (1933), Police Emergency Helpline (112), WhatsApp number 9531856080 or telephone number 03192-236641. Police said the identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.
