Collector, SP launch ‘Drugs Vaddhu Bro’ rally in Kadiri

The Sri Sathya Sai district administration on Saturday launched the ‘Drugs Vaddhu Bro’ awareness campaign at Kadiri town, with senior officials of various government departments and public representatives calling for collective action to make the district drug-free.

District Collector A. Shyam Prasad and Superintendent of Police S. Satish Kumar flagged off the programme at the R&B Guest House. Addressing students, DWCRA groups and members of NGOs, the Collector cautioned that drug consumption posed a serious threat to human survival and social well-being. He urged the public to act responsibly and report instances of ganja and drug use to toll-free numbers or local police stations. He appealed to the public to take a pledge against drug consumption.

Superintendent of Police Satish Kumar said drug abuse was a growing challenge that directly impacted youth and law and order. He warned that possession, consumption and sale of ganja and drugs were punishable offences, carrying imprisonment ranging from 10 to 20 years depending on the quantity involved. He disclosed that 40 to 42 persons had been arrested in ganja-related cases in Kadiri alone. The SP said that preventive detention and externment measures were being initiated against repeat offenders.

Later, a public rally was taken out from the R&B Guest House to the RTC Circle, with participants displaying placards and raising slogans against drugs. A human chain was formed at the RTC Circle, and a pledge to stay away from narcotics was administered.