- Odisha Higher Education Department directs all aided and non-aided colleges to conduct anti-drug awareness drives across campuses.
- Colleges asked to publicize the MANAS Portal and encourage students to take the 'MyGov' anti-drug e-pledge via NSS volunteers.
- Essay writing, debates, rallies, and sensitization programs to be held highlighting the dangers of drug abuse among youth.
The Odisha Department of Higher Education has instructed the heads of both the government and non-government aided colleges to organize awareness programs concerning the use of drugs among youngsters with a view to their making their campuses drug-free.
In a letter released, the Department said that the increasing evil of drug and narcotic substance abuse among youths has become a grave threat to individuals as well as society.
Emphasizing the role of the colleges in fighting the drug scourge, the Department in the letter noted, "Educational institutions, being the breeding grounds for mapping the future of our country, have a critical role to play in creating a healthy, safe and drug-free environment".
The Department also mentioned the MANAS (Mental Health and Normalcy Augmentation System) Portal introduced by the Narcotics Control Bureau(NCB), where students can file complaints in the National Helpline No. 1933 about the use of drugs in college campuses.
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"This portal also responds to queries regarding drug-related issues, counselling, de-addiction centers, etc. You are directed to provide extensive publicity regarding MANAS, the Portal, in your college by organizing an awareness programme", the Department directed.
It also requested the Principals of all colleges to raise huge awareness among the public as well as students throughout the state through NSS volunteers to make Anti-drug e-pledge on 'My Gov' Platform.
The department has requested the principals of all colleges to carry out sensitisation programmes in their colleges for raising awareness on the harmful effects of drug addiction among students. The department has requested to arrange essay writing, debate competitions on the subject.
"You are also asked to sensitize your students regarding the ill-effects of drugs on individuals and the society by organizing sensitization programs, debate, essay writing, painting, rally, etc", exhorted the Department.
