Drugs a cancer eating into body and society, Minister Lodha tells teachers and parents at Mumbai University

Once addiction to intoxicants takes hold of the body and mind, it becomes extremely hard to break free. However much treatment is given, the effects often cause pain for life. That is why drug abuse is a cancer eating into the body and society, said Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister for Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

The Green Technology Auditorium of the University of Mumbai is at its Kalina campus in Santacruz East. A programme titled "Drugs Free Mumbai - Student Counselling Session and Teacher Training", held there on Wednesday under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, was addressed by Lodha. He said everyone must come together to keep themselves and the next generation away from drugs, and that this was the need of the hour.

Lodha appealed to teachers and parents to raise awareness among children, just as they explain "good touch" and "bad touch", by now also explaining the difference between a "good friend" and a "bad friend".

Schools, colleges, institutions, organisations and the police administration did good work in the Drugs Free Mumbai campaign. Twenty-one such people were felicitated by Lodha. Those present also took a pledge to stay free of addiction.

Lodha said the campaign was launched on July 30 by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and will continue for a year. He asked people to also watch for the danger of criminal tendencies entering society through drugs.

Lodha also said the definition of war has changed. Instead of swords, guns, bombs or atom bombs, weakening a country's economy by printing counterfeit notes, or getting its young generation hooked on drugs, are also major challenges. He said that if one young person in a family falls into addiction, the entire family is affected.

At the programme, representatives of various social organisations guided students and teachers. These organisations are working at different levels to build a drug-free young generation. From today, through joint effort, they will counsel students in schools and colleges under the Drugs Free Mumbai campaign.

Lodha said that as Mumbai develops, keeping it safe from drugs is a collective responsibility. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed the resolve of a "Drugs Free Bharat", he said, and a developed India will be built on the strength of its youth. He therefore appealed to young people to stay away from drugs and to everyone to contribute to the Drugs Free Mumbai campaign.

Dr Saigeeta Chitturu, Assistant Professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, spoke to students on adolescence. Brahma Kumari Prashanti interacted with children on "Be Smart Be Strong Within". Representatives of Divine Touch told students how to make the right "choice" of good things.

Mumbai Suburban District Collector Saurabh Katiyar, teaching and non-teaching staff of the University of Mumbai, police officers, representatives of institutions and organisations, and a large number of students and parents were present.