Sri Vijaya Puram | January 05, 2026
As part of the Nasha Mukth Bharat Abhiyaan, an awareness programme on drug and substance abuse was organised on December 30 at Gram Panchayat Brindaban to sensitise the community about the harmful effects of addiction and the importance of leading a substance-free life.
The programme was organised by the Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) under the District Administration, South Andaman, in collaboration with the NAPDDR, Directorate of Social Welfare, NTCP, Directorate of Health Services, and the Anti-Narcotic CID Branch of the Andaman & Nicobar Police.
A large number of members of the general public and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) representatives from Gram Panchayat Brindaban attended the programme. Addressing the gathering, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Brindaban, Mrs. M.A. Naseem Banu, and Zilla Parishad Member, Mr. V.K. Abdul Aziz, urged the community, especially youth, to stay away from drugs and other addictive substances and to support collective efforts aimed at building a drug-free society.
Dr. M.K. Mahato, Medical Officer, DDR/IRCA, South Andaman, delivered an informative session on the ill effects of alcohol and substance abuse, highlighting health risks and sharing practical methods to refrain from addiction. Mr. Rathindra Mallick, Psychologist Counsellor, NTCP, Directorate of Health Services, spoke about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, ways to quit tobacco use, and elaborated on the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
Focusing on the legal consequences of drug-related offences, Mr. Surya Narayan, Assistant Sub-Inspector, Anti-Narcotics (CID), explained various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Ms. Anchamma, Project Coordinator, NAPDDR, Directorate of Social Welfare, provided insights into the prevailing status of drug addiction in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and ongoing initiatives to address the issue.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Rohit Paroi, Project Coordinator-cum-Vocational Counsellor, DDR/IRCA, South Andaman.
