Workshop at UPES reminds youth of dangers of substance abuse
my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 22 Sep: Dehradun district administration, Social Welfare Department Dehradun and UPES jointly organised a workshop at the UPES campus in Bidholi, Premnagar, to sensitise students about the harmful effects of substance abuse. This event was organised under the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’. A large number of students participated in the programme.
District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan, who was the chief guest on this occasion, interacted with the students and urged them to stay away from drugs. He said that every person has moments and opportunities in life where choices need to be made and that it is important to select positive, constructive and healthy options for the future. He emphasised that the addiction harms not only the person concerned but also the family and society at large and he described drug abuse as a ‘dopamine trap’ that entangles a person gradually. He stressed the need for self‑analysis, discipline and control to avoid falling into this cycle. He added that eliminating such a grave social problem requires collective and sustained efforts by the government, the administration, the police, educational institutions, social organisations, parents and citizens. He pointed out that youth are often targeted by drug peddlers, which makes the awareness and education crucial to prevent this trap. He directed that similar workshops be organised in universities and colleges across the district to highlight the physical, mental, social and economic consequences of drug abuse.
SP (City) Shekhar Chandra Suyal used a story to illustrate the dangers of addiction and called for collective action to curb the menace. He appealed to the students to remain drug‑free and spread awareness among their peers and family. ADM (Administration) Smrita Parmar, UPES Pro-Vice Chancellor Manish Madan and special guest Lalit Joshi also addressed the gathering, urging the students to adopt a healthy and positive lifestyle.
Street plays and cultural programmes were staged to convey the message of drug‑free living, depicting the social and familial problems caused by addiction and encouraging students to help others quit. Participants took a pledge to stay away from drugs and contribute to building a drug‑free society. Officials appealed to students to keep themselves drug‑free and to sensitise their friends, families and communities.
The event was attended by ADM, Administration, Smrita Parmar, SP, City, Shekhar Chandra Suyal, UPES Vice Chancellor Manish Madan, special guest Lalit Joshi, District Education Officer Premlal Bharti, Additional Chief Medical Officer Rohit Gondwal, Pradeep Rana, District Social Welfare Officer Dipankar Ghildiyal, UPES faculty members including Deepa Mehra Rawat and Rohit Rastogi, along with a large number of students.
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