· Nashabandi Mandal Maharashtra to initiate six-month campus awareness drive on drug problem
· An initiative by students for students of VESIT to step up fight to combat ever-rising problem of drug abuse on college campuses
Mumbai, 24 August, 2016: Engineering college Vivekanand Education Society’s Institute of Technology (VESIT) has tied up with Nashabandi Mandal Maharashtra, affiliated to the Social Justice Department of Maharashtra Government, to address the problem of drug menace through various social initiatives. VESIT is the first educational institution in Maharashtra to collaborate with a government body to combat growing instances of drug abuse in a structured and planned manner.
“The Social Responsibility Team (SORT) and Cultural Committee of VESIT has been actively involved in initiating various social campaigns like road safety drives. The tie-up with Nashabandi Mandal, Maharashtra reiterates our strengthened resolve to combat the rising menace of drug problems on college campuses. We decided to roll-out the initiative on Fresher’s Day, a significant occasion when the senior fraternity of VESIT welcome junior students in a show of camaraderie and friendship. The endeavour by Nashabandi Mandal is a unique move to raise awareness about the drug problem and other educational institutions across the state should also actively collaborate with the body to initiate similar campus programs,” stated Dr (Mrs). J.M.Nair,Principal,VESIT.
Congratulating VESIT on taking the onus in combating drug awareness, Shri Amol Madame, Secretary and Convenor, Nashabandi Mandal, Maharashtra stated, “VESIT taking the lead in tying up with us for formulating drug awareness programs is a revolutionary move. As students are the most vulnerable section of society to fall prey to this menace, a professional educational institution in Maharashtra tying up with a government body assumes contemporary significance and marks the start of a strong collaborative movement against drugs."
As part of the campus awareness program on combating the drug menace, Nashabandi Mandal Maharashtra will be starting Youth against LTD (liquor, tobacco and drugs) wherein 20 students (10 girls and 10 boys) in the college will be selected as volunteers to spearhead a campaign against drugs. Starting from September to February, the body will be launching awareness programs like photography exhibitions, poster competitions and talks by experts, including counsellor visits to the college, to throw light on the issue and combat it on a community level.
Ruing the fact that drug abuse has assumed the dimension of social prestige, Shri.Madame stated while earlier youth in the age group of 22-25 would start consuming drugs, the age group has considerably narrowed with teens in the 13-15 age group also consuming drugs.