SHOPIAN : The District Administration Shopian today organised a Pledge ceremony as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

The aim of the ceremony was to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving the goal of a sustainable world free of substance abuse.

The pledge was administered in all schools, colleges including Imtiyaz Memorial Govt Degree College, Polytechnic College Shopian and other government offices across the district.

On the occasion, all the participants vowed to stay away from drugs and to make efforts to make India a drug free country. Student representatives also participated and generated awareness by displaying posters on anti-drugs theme.

Speakers said that drug addiction is an issue of grave concern, especially among the younger generation, and has detrimental impact not only on the individual concerned but on the society as a whole.

They added that in this digital era, the definition of addiction has evolved to include tech addiction, and sensitisation programmes aimed at preventing the addiction can be the most effective strategy to counter this problem.