Instructions for drug de-addiction oath in every class and

awareness lecture once week

Nodal officers appointed in universities and colleges, hostels will be

inspected regularly

Lucknow, 10 Sept (HS): The Yogi government is making the campaign effective

through higher education institutions, giving the shape of a mass movement to

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a drug-free India and realizing the

resolve of 'Developed India-Developed Uttar Pradesh', to save the youth of the

state from the ill effects of drugs and to develop the culture of drug

de-addiction in the society. While chairing the review meeting of the drug

de-addiction campaign at the Vidhan Sabha office in Lucknow, Higher Education

Minister Yogendra Upadhyay directed to conduct regular awareness activities in

universities and colleges.

The meeting was attended virtually by the Principal Secretary, Special

Secretary, Director of Higher Education, departmental officials, and Vice

Chancellors, Registrars, and other officials from state and private

universities. The Higher Education Minister directed that officials be assigned

various responsibilities to monitor the drug de-addiction campaign by the

Higher Education Department. A nodal officer should be designated in each

university, and at each college and faculty level, to ensure the campaign's

impact reaches the last mile and regular monitoring of activities is ensured.

He also directed that reports of inspections and investigations already

conducted in universities and colleges should also be made available to the

department. Information should be collected on efforts made to prevent drug

abuse, especially in hostels with high student numbers.

In a significant initiative, Minister Yogendra Upadhyay directed that students

be administered a brief pledge of drug de-addiction before the start of class.

He stated that a half- to one-minute pledge daily would have a positive mental

impact on students. He also suggested that teachers deliver a brief lecture at

least once a week in class on the ill effects of drug abuse and the positive

effects of abstinence. A day of the week could be designated for this purpose.

He stated that consistent communication and awareness would develop a strong

negative attitude toward drug abuse in students.

Minister Upadhyay said that the drug de-addiction campaign should be linked to

students' creative activities. Essay writing, storytelling, painting, poster

writing, and other creative competitions should be organized on the ill effects

of drugs and the benefits of a drug-free life. Lectures should also be

organized for students by inviting eminent personalities and experts from

society. Instructions were also given to organize small drug de-addiction walks

on university and college campuses. He said that limited-duration walks could

also be organized at each faculty or department level, creating a continuous

environment of awareness among students. He also directed that hoardings,

posters, and wall writings related to drug de-addiction be installed inside the

campuses and, as needed, outside, so that the message continues to reach

students and the general public.

The Higher Education Minister called for an effective monitoring system to

prevent drug abuse in hostels. He directed that necessary checks be made at the

gate level of materials coming into the hostel from outside, and that surprise

inspections be conducted periodically by wardens and concerned officials. He

said that it is essential to prevent the use of any type of drug in hostels at

the initial stage. Instead of a punitive approach, students should be

encouraged to stay away from drugs through persuasion.

Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyaya stated that the message of drug

de-addiction will only be effective when it becomes a part of students' daily

lives and behavior. He added that this can only be transformed into a lasting

culture through continuous pledges, lectures, dialogues, and creative

activities. He added that the education sector has a major responsibility in

protecting the future generation from drug addiction. Only through a cultured

education can youth be made healthy, responsible, and prepared for

nation-building.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi