LG leads drug awareness march, calls for collective action against substance abuse

LEH: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday called for sustained public awareness and collective action against substance abuse as he led a UT-wide drug awareness padyatra in Leh under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, with students, youth, religious organisations, NGOs and government officials joining the campaign.

Saxena led the march from Zangsti Chowk to Boys Higher Secondary School, Leh, as part of an extensive drug awareness campaign aimed at highlighting the harmful effects of substance abuse and reinforcing the Administration’s commitment to a drug-free Ladakh.

The padyatra brought together a broad cross-section of the community, including students from government and private schools, youth, NGOs, religious organisations and other civil society representatives.

Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra; Divisional Commissioner, Ladakh, Surbir Singh; Administrative Secretaries; Deputy Commissioner, Leh; and senior officers and officials of the UT Administration participated in the event.

Participants carried placards and awareness pamphlets highlighting the adverse effects of drug abuse and the importance of maintaining a healthy and drug-free society. The participation of students and young people formed a central part of the awareness initiative, with the campaign seeking to strengthen prevention efforts among those considered particularly vulnerable to substance abuse.

The event was organised by the Department of Social and Tribal Welfare in collaboration with the District Administration Leh, with support from the Education, Police and Health departments, religious organisations, the Ladakh Media and Cultural Society and other stakeholders.

The Administration said the campaign was intended to take the message against substance abuse beyond government institutions and into communities, encouraging wider public participation in prevention and awareness efforts.

Similar drug awareness padyatras were also organised in Nubra, Sham and Changthang, extending the campaign across different parts of Ladakh. The parallel programmes sought to create awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse and promote community participation in efforts towards a drug-free society.

The involvement of religious organisations and community representatives in the campaign also brought civil society institutions into the broader awareness effort, with organisers stressing shared responsibility in addressing substance abuse.

The UT-wide initiative comes as the Administration seeks to strengthen public awareness on drug-related harms through coordinated participation by government departments, educational institutions, community organisations and civil society.