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Delhi

Gul Panag, Swara Bhaskar to lead govt campaign against drug abuse

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government will launch from Wednesday a year-long awareness campaign against drug use, Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam said on Tuesday. The minister observed that in some recent survey the government had learned that the drug abuse among the youth in the Capital was increasing. The officials of the department have noted that in a survey done in 2016 it was found that nearly 70,000 street children of Delhi were into drug abuse.
"Drug use is a major problem among the children in Delhi," Gautam said. He added that the government would take the awareness campaign to colleges, schools and colonies. The campaign, to start from the Ambedkar University, will feature seminars, street plays and competitions. As part of the campaign, the Delhi government proposes to conduct around 1,200 street plays against drug use and has signed 12 drama clubs of various colleges. In these plays, the government would ensure a social message and also use it as a platform to inform various help initiatives. "At the end of every play, the performers will hold placard where the helpline numbers will be provided," officials said. The department has already informed all the colleges to make sure that every student should attain these plays. The officials informed that a very good response was received from the colleges across the city.
Several celebrities will be involved in the campaign. The officials said that Bollywood celebrities like Gul Panag and Sawara Bhaskar are among others who would be present in these campaigns.
Gautam asserted that after starting the campaign from the colleges the department will also organise these in schools and colonies. He added that in various small colonies of Delhi drug abuse was a constant problem. The minister also noted that in many schools of Delhi the drug addiction problem was reportedly high. Gautam assured, "We will take strong action against this menace and plan it accordingly." Stating the example of the ongoing campaign against vector-borne diseases across the city, the minister noted that he would like to organise campaigns like this.
Meanwhile, the minister said he had written to the Lt Governor and senior police officers but the situation had not improved. "If police work properly, it can be stopped easily, but they don't have the will," he added.
Asserting that strict investigation is needed to end this menace, Gautam said the government can't-do it without the help of police.
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