SPORTSPERSONS AND CHILDREN URGE PEOPLE TO SHUN DRUG ABUSE

**HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN RALLY HELD TO MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING
**SDM EXHORTS PEOPLE TO GIVE FULSOME SUPPORT FOR MAKING PUNJAB A DRUG FREE STATE

Ludhiana, June 26, 2018: As the district administration has organized many events to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking under mission Tandrust Punjab, an impressive awareness rally was carried out in association with sports department and Sports Authority of India (SAI) from Guru Nanak Stadium on Tuesday morning in which hundreds of the people including sportspersons and children took part.

The rally was flagged off by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM West) Damanjeet Singh Maan who led from the front. The rally started from Fountain Chowk, Mall Road, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Durga Mata Temple and concluded at Guru Nanak Stadium. The children and sportspersons carried drug-free Punjab placards and banners into their hands and disseminated the message of shunning the drugs.

Later addressing the gathering, SDM said that every type of drug is harmful to the health and drug menace is a slur on the society. He told that if a youth fells into drug abuse, he is not only heading towards devastation but also endangering the future of his family. He said that youngsters must say no to drugs whenever someone endorses drugs.

He exhorted the youths to join the sports and leave the drugs. Maan detailed the participants about Drug Abuse Prevention Officer (DAPO) and mission Tandrust Punjab started by Punjab government to make a healthiest and drug-free society.

SDM further told them that Punjab government has opened drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres and if they find any youth gripped into the drug, he can be referred for treatment in these centres.

On the occasion, DPRO Prabhdeep Singh Nathowal, Sports Authority of India’s local official Harbans Singh, coaches of sports department and others were present.