Tuesday, 13 AUGUST 2024 | my uttarakhand news | DEHRADUN Considering the increasing substance abuse among youth, the Dehradun district magistrate Sonika urged schools to educate children about its dangers from the nursery level. She emphasised that special programmes should be organised in schools to inform children about the negative consequences of drug abuse and motivate them to keep those around them away from such vices. The initiative aims to foster a culture of awareness and prevention among young students, ensuring that they remain vigilant against substance abuse as they grow older. Sonika stated this after administering an anti-drug pledge to the officials present in the collectorate, emphasising the importance of raising awareness about the harmful effects of drugs from an early age. She also directed the officials to ensure the effective implementation of the Drug-Free India Campaign in the district. The police and Education department were told to collaborate closely in organising workshops and awareness programmes in schools and colleges on the topic of drug addiction. She urged the Education department to mandate that teachers regularly educate students from class I to XII about the harmful effects of drugs. The goal is to create a strong foundation of awareness so that as students reach adolescence, they are already well-informed and conscious of the dangers associated with drug use, she added.