Collectors stress need to prevent drug abuse at gram sabha meetings

Kanniyakumari and Thoothukudi district Collectors stressed the need to prevent drug abuse while participating as chief guest in gram sabha meetings held in their respective districts on Friday.

Addressing the meeting at Karumbattur panchayat in Kanniyakumari district, Collector M. Prathap held discussions on ensuring clean drinking water supply, Village Poverty Reduction Plan, comprehensive health schemes, comprehensive drinking water scheme and providing unique access cards to differently abled, among other issues.

Further discussions were also held on whether all households had been provided with drinking water connections, the implementation of Swachh Bharat mission and other initiatives being implemented by both state and central governments.

He added that the Tamil Nadu government has been conducting an awareness campaign as part of its ‘Drug Free Tamil Nadu,’ initiative. He urged the parents to advise their children to stay away from drug addiction, pointing out that several children, particularly those aged between 13 or 14, were getting addicted to drugs, which often began as a form of fun with friends.

The Collector urged the villagers to approach departments including horticulture, agriculture, animal husbandry and other departments to avail the benefits of the scheme and welfare assistance. He said that this would improve their livelihoods and contribute to the overall economic well being of the people. He directed the government officials to take immediate action on the demands raised by the public.

In Thoothukudi, Collector Vishu Mahajan participated in the gram sabha meeting held in Kulasekaranallur panchayat.

He urged the parents to take their children to village libraries and inculcate reading habits,which, he said, would benefit them in the future. He said that after completing higher secondary education, students could pursue courses at polytechnics and ITIs, adding that employment opportunities were available for them in the district.

Stressing about prevention of drug abuse, he administered a pledge against drug abuse, which was subsequently taken by the villagers.