Runs conducted to create awareness against drug abuse

Madurai/Trichy: Marking International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, runs were organised in Madurai and central districts including Trichy on Friday.The runs, under the theme, ‘Start Run, Stop Drug’, were organised as per the directions of the state govt to create a drug-free Tamil Nadu.

The objective was to promote a healthy, safe and drug-free society.In Madurai, collector Nishant Krishna inaugurated the run at the Dr MGR district sports stadium around 6.30am on Friday.The participants ran via Pandiyan Hotel, Tallakulam Perumal Temple, Tamukkam Ground, Gandhi Museum, World Tamil Sangam, and Raja Muthiah Mandram, before returning to the stadium. Before the start of the run, the participants formed a human chain and took a pledge against drug abuse.Madurai North MLA A Kallaanai, Madurai East MLA S Karthikeyan and the deputy mayor T Nagarajan were present.In Trichy, collector Pratik Tayal led the event at Anna Sports Stadium. He administered the pledge, signed an awareness banner and flagged off the run. Around 500 participants including school and college students, govt employees took part. The run passed through TVS Tollgate, Mannarpuram Roundabout and Khajamalai before returning to the stadium.

Meanwhile, Trichy district police organised a 5-km run from Kollidam roundabout to Vaaladi. Inspector general of police (central zone) V Balakrishnan administered the pledge. District superintendent of police Dongare Pravin Umesh and other police personnel participated in the run, in which 730 people took part.Tiruvarur collector V Mohanachandran, Nagapattinam collector K J Praveen Kumar, Mayiladuthurai collector H S Srikanth, Pudukkottai collector M Aruna, Karur collector C Muthukumaran, Perambalur collector Sharanya Ari, and Ariyalur collector N Mrinalini flagged off similar runs in their districts.