The Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (Jhalsa) is gearing up for a comprehensive state-wide campaign to combat the menace of drug abuse among the youth. This significant awareness and outreach programme is scheduled for Monday and will culminate with the observance of National Youth Day, which marks the birth anniversary of the revered spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda.
A Coordinated Effort Under the DAWN Scheme
Organised under the banner of the 'DAWN (Drug Awareness and Wellness Navigation) For a Drug Free India Scheme', an initiative of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the programme is a collaborative effort. Jhalsa is joining forces with various state government departments, the Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and educational institutions including schools and colleges across Jharkhand.
Ensuring a structured approach, Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad, a judge of the Jharkhand High Court and the Executive Chairman of Jhalsa, has directed the creation of a detailed day-wise Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). This SOP has been dispatched to all District Legal Service Authorities to guarantee uniform and effective execution of the campaign.
Multi-Pronged Awareness Strategy
The campaign will employ a diverse range of activities to reach every corner of the state and resonate with different audiences. The planned initiatives include:
- Rallies, walkathons, and bicycle rallies to garner public attention.
- Display of powerful slogans such as 'Say yes to life, No to drugs'.
- Engaging street plays and targeted outreach in slum areas and rural pockets.
- Interactive sessions, expert lectures, and talks on the ill-effects of narcotics in schools and colleges.
- Dissemination of the crucial helpline number 15100.
- Circulation of anti-drug messages through posters, videos, and WhatsApp groups.
- Interaction meetings with parents, teachers, and NGO representatives.
A Jhalsa official emphasised that the primary focus of this drive is the youth. "The focus will be on the youths. Schools and colleges will be covered extensively. Apart from awareness, youths will also be informed about the de-addiction and rehabilitation programme," the official stated.
Part of a Larger National Mission
This state-level initiative aligns with the central government's ongoing 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' (Drug-Free India) drive, which is being carried out in coordination with various government departments nationwide. The grave societal impact of drug addiction has prompted these sustained efforts at both the central and state levels.
Notably, this is not Jharkhand's first such campaign. The state government had previously conducted a similar state-wide awareness drive against drug abuse from June 10 to 26 last year. That campaign reached schools, colleges, slums, urban hotspots, and even villages known for poppy cultivation, involving an impressive 850 master trainers to spread the message.
As the state prepares for this renewed push, the integration of legal services, law enforcement, education, and community outreach highlights a holistic strategy to steer the youth away from substance abuse and towards a healthier, more productive future, in the spirit of Swami Vivekananda's ideals.
