A number of anti-drug rallies have been conducted in Mysuru and surrounding regions since the last few days as part of the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ campaign.On Wednesday, at least two such events were conducted, one in Mysuru and another in Mandya, to draw public attention to the scourge of drug addiction and substance abuse among the youth.In Mandya, Deputy Commissioner Kumar inaugurated the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan 2025’ organised by the Mandya district police. He said that drug abuse has emerged as one of the biggest challenges to the nation’s development, and every citizen must resolve to stay away from narcotic substances to help address this problem.Mr. Kumar emphasised that the greatest social responsibility of all is to ensure that the youth do not fall prey to drugs, and to help rehabilitate those already addicted to it. He also drew a correlation between drug addiction and an increase in crime rate, and said that a review of registered criminal incidents in the district revealed that a significant proportion of it stemmed from substance abuse.The Mandya Deputy Commissioner called upon the public to work with the police to rid society of drugs, stressing that this responsibility rests on everyone. Addressing students in particular, Mr. Kumar urged them to take it upon themselves to reform and guide those in their colleges, families, and neighbourhoods who have developed tendencies of drug abuse.Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi, in his address, observed that many young people and workers in the country have become slaves to harmful habits, thereby ruining their promising futures. The main objective of the campaign was to raise awareness in universities, higher educational institutions, and schools about the harmful effects of drug abuse.Mandya Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K. R. Nandini administered a pledge to the students to stay away from drug abuse. Hanumant Prasad, principal, Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, and others were present.Mysuru, which witnessed two rallies on Tuesday, organised by the Sarada Vilas Pharmacy College and ABVP, saw school and college children taking out a procession as part of the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan 2025’ on Wednesday.The rally was organised by former corporator Suhail Baig, and the procession, which commenced from Mission Hospital circle (Dr. Zakir Hussain Circle), made its way through Sawday Road, Savoy Chowk, Meena Bazaar and culminated at St. Philomena’s Church Circle. Karnataka Exhibition Authority chairperson and former mayor Ayub Khan, and others were present.Published - August 13, 2025 07:33 pm IST