Chandigarh :
Anganwadi Workers across Punjab are joining the government’s Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign as Nasha Mukti Mitras, helping spread awareness about drug abuse among families and communities.
At a state-level event in Malout, Social Security and Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur felicitated 20 Anganwadi Workers for their contribution to drug-awareness efforts. She said their regular interaction with families and children makes them important community-level ambassadors for prevention and early intervention.
The event also highlighted the role of sports in keeping youngsters away from drugs. More than 100 sports kits containing hockey, football, volleyball and cricket equipment were distributed among local youth.
Dr Baljit Kaur said around 3,000 sports grounds were being developed across Punjab, while 500 village gyms had been inaugurated earlier this year. She also highlighted the ongoing Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan sports festival as part of efforts to encourage youth participation in sports
The minister called upon parents, teachers, panchayats, youth clubs and social organisations to actively support the anti-drug campaign. Schoolchildren also participated in poster-making and essay-writing competitions, while cultural programmes including Malwai Giddha and a drug-awareness play were organised.
The initiative aims to strengthen grassroots prevention by involving Anganwadi Workers, schools, families, panchayats, youth groups and sports facilities in creating awareness and encouraging people affected by substance abuse to seek help.
