Pune: Maharashtra Launches Statewide Anti-Drug Campaign, Urges Youth to Lead Fight Against Addiction
Pune, 16th June 2026 : In a concerted effort to tackle the growing menace of substance abuse among young people, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Maharashtra State, in collaboration with Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and several voluntary organisations, has launched a statewide anti-drug awareness movement aimed at building a “Drug-Free Maharashtra.”
The initiative forms part of the Central Government’s ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’, which seeks to combat narcotic addiction through awareness, community participation and preventive action.
Officials said the campaign comes at a time when drug abuse is increasingly affecting the physical and mental well-being of youngsters, disrupting families and contributing to social and criminal issues.
As part of the movement, state-level competitions have been announced on the theme “The Harmful Effects of Narcotic Drugs and the Youth Trapped in Addiction.” School and college students, along with citizens from all walks of life, can participate in slogan-writing, essay-writing, painting and reels-making competitions.
Participation is free of cost, and the last date for submitting entries is June 21, 2026. Winners will be felicitated on June 26, observed globally as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Appealing for widespread participation, Jyotipriya Singh, Special Inspector General of Police, Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Maharashtra State, said, “Drug abuse is silently destroying the future of our youth. The fight against narcotics cannot be won by law enforcement agencies alone. Society, educational institutions, parents and young people themselves must become stakeholders in this movement. Through these competitions, we want to create awareness and inspire a collective resolve against addiction.”
According to the ANTF, the campaign aims to go beyond conventional awareness drives by creating a sustained social movement against drug abuse. Students, teachers, social workers, artists, writers, police personnel and eminent personalities from various fields are expected to join the initiative.
Officials noted that the campaign will also harness the power of creative expression and social media to amplify anti-drug messages and encourage youngsters to reject narcotic substances.
“The battle against drugs is not merely a policing issue; it is a societal responsibility,” organisers said, adding that protecting the next generation from the scourge of addiction requires collective action and sustained public engagement.
For registrations and further information, participants may contact:
– Akshay Sarode, Police Sub-Inspector, ANTF Maharashtra – 8286006875
– Prof. Ganesh Bhame, SPPU NSS Department – 9595055095
– Prof. Savita Kulkarni – 7020037674
– Prof. Ravita Alone – 9766648205
– Prof. Vaibhav Barkade – 9766420855
The organisers have urged students, teachers, parents and citizens across Maharashtra to participate in large numbers and transform the campaign into a powerful public movement against drug addiction.
