Tiruvallur:
Students from schools in Tiruvallur district actively participated in a special awareness programme against drug abuse, sending a strong message on the importance of staying away from drugs and choosing a healthy and responsible future.

As part of the programme, students of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Vadakarai, conducted an anti-drug awareness rally inside the school campus. Carrying awareness placards and raising slogans against drug abuse, the students created awareness among their fellow students about the dangers of substance use.

The programmes were conducted on 10.08.2026 at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Vadakarai; Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Vadakarai; and Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Redhills.

The awareness activities were organised by the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Tiruvallur, in partnership with Shelter Trust, under the guidance of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan – Drug-Free Tamil Nadu Campaign.

At the Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Vadakarai, special guest “Singa Pen” Sub-Inspector Ms. Jayanthi Prabakaran participated in the programme and addressed the students. She created awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse, the legal consequences associated with drugs and the importance of protecting themselves from drug addiction.

Mr. S. Thenpandian, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Tiruvallur, and Ms. V. Ezhilarasi, District Child Protection Officer, DCPU – Tiruvallur, also participated as special guests and addressed the students on drug prevention and the need to build a drug-free society.

Mr. A.D. Solomon Raj, Managing Trustee, Shelter Trust, honoured the special guests during the programme. Mr. Karthik, Mental Health Counsellor, and Mr. B. Kumar also shared awareness messages with the students.

The programme included an awareness video presentation by Shelter Trust, followed by a special puppet show presented by Mr. P. Ramesh Kumar and Team. The puppet show conveyed the harmful effects of drug abuse to the students in an engaging and easy-to-understand manner.

As an important part of the programme, students took a pledge against drug abuse, promising to stay away from drugs and contribute towards creating a healthy and drug-free society.

Students from the three participating schools took part in the awareness activities along with DCPU and Child Line staff, Headmasters, Assistant Headmasters and teachers, with a total participation of around 700 students.

The programme concluded with the distribution of snacks to the students. The initiative emphasised the importance of preventing drug abuse among young people and encouraging them to lead healthy, safe and responsible lives, carrying forward the message of “Drug-Free Tamil Nadu – A Healthy Future.”