RAJOURI : The Department of Social Welfare 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 event was to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving the goal of a sustainable world free of substance abuse.

As per the department, 27122 students and 2376 teachers across the educational institutions of Rajouri pledged to stay away from drugs and to make efforts to make India a drug free country.

The students of 1654 schools, 13 Government Degree Colleges, besides Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University and Government Medical College Rajouri participated in the pledge ceremony, said District Social Welfare Officer Rajouri, Wakeel Ahmed Bhat. “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” he said.

He said that on the directions and guidance of Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Vikas Kundal a number of steps have been taken to generate awareness about the ill effects of Drugs and the department is determined to eliminate this menace from the society.

“It is a collective fight and cooperation of all the citizens is required to eliminate the drug menace from society,” he added.