Hyderabad, Nov.18 (RAHNUMA): Calling upon the youth to “stay away from drugs and stay aligned with meaningful life goals”, Minister for SC, ST, Disabled & Transgender Welfare Adluri Lakshman Kumar said the state government has taken stringent measures to free Telangana from the grip of narcotic substances.
He was addressing medical students at the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan 5th Anniversary programme, organised at the Gandhi Medical College auditorium on Tuesday under the aegis of the department of Welfare of Disabled, Senior Citizens and Transgender Persons.
The Minister noted that drug addiction often begins as a casual indulgence but eventually becomes a destructive habit capable of ruining entire lives. “Parents invest their dreams and hopes in their children. It is vital for young people to think of their families and their own future before falling prey to such habits,” he cautioned.
Lakshman Kumar said the government considers it a foremost responsibility to steer the youth towards education, career-building and personality development while shielding them from harmful addictions. In light of the rising menace of narcotic substances, the State has launched intensive, war-footing measures to tackle the problem at its roots, he added.
A key component of this strengthened anti-drug framework is the Eagle Special Unit, introduced by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, which has emerged as a vital force in disrupting drug supply networks across the State, he said.
The Minister observed that the Chief Minister had issued unequivocal instructions to clamp down on narcotic networks with an “iron foot”, emphasising that protecting the youth today is equivalent to safeguarding Telangana’s future. “Drug addiction is not just an individual vice; it is a blazing inferno that can destroy entire families,” he stated.
Under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the State has set up NMBA Committees and formed Anti-Drug Clubs in schools and colleges. “So far, awareness has been created for 1.45 crore individuals through 7,018 programmes in 15,891 educational institutions, marking one of the largest drug-awareness drives in the country,” the Minister said.
Later, Laxman Kumar administered the de-addiction mass pledge 2025 to medical students and honoured volunteers working in drug-eradication activities. Cultural performances and street plays presented by artistes drew appreciation from the audience and effectively conveyed the message on the dangers of substance abuse.
