Let us work for a drug-free Thoothukudi, Minister urges people

Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Minister P. Geetha Jeevan urged everyone to work together to create a drug-free Thoothukudi, at the State-level mass pledge event titled “Drug Free Tamil Nadu” held at the Government Polytechnic College here on Monday.

The event was conducted as part of the “Drug Free Tamil Nadu” pledge taking event led by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin in Chennai.

Addressing the students at the event, Ms. Geetha Jeevan said the event was organised to spread awareness about drug abuse, particularly targeting youth and students. “Those who become addicted to drugs are often shunned by their family and society. They lose the ability to work properly and are unable to secure employment opportunities, ending up socially ostracized,” she said.

She urged the students to report on any kind of illegal drug sales in society either to district administration or to the police department.

Ms. Geetha Jeevan announced that funds had been allocated for Thoothukudi district to create awareness on drug abuse and added that the district administration was formulating ideas for this programme.

Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Anitha Radhakrishnan, Thoothukudi Collector K. Elambahavath, Thoothukudi SP Albert John, Mayor Jegan Periyasamy, and Corporation Commissioner Banoth Mrugender Lal were present.

In Kanniyakumari, district collector R. Alagumeena presided over the pledge taking ceremony at a private college in Nagercoil. Highlighting the objective of the event, Ms. Alagumeena urged the students not to be trapped into the addiction, noting that they should avoid taking drugs in any form that can ruin their future.

Kanniyakumari Superintendent of Police R. Stalin, Nagercoil Mayor R. Mahesh, and Padmanabhapuram Sub Collector Vinay Kumar Meena were present.