CM Fadnavis Launches Navi Mumbai Police's Anti-Drug Campaign

Navi Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the Navi Mumbai Police's 'Campus Connect – Drug-Free Awareness Campaign' on Saturday, aiming to protect students from the growing threat of narcotics.

The launch event was held at the D.Y. Patil University's Centre of Excellence in Nerul, where Fadnavis also inaugurated the De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre online. An Integrated Command and Control Centre and the Navi Mumbai Airport Police Station were also inaugurated as part of the programme.

The campaign will focus on taking anti-drug awareness directly into schools and colleges. Nearly 250 colleges in Navi Mumbai have already responded to the initiative. An Anti-Narcotics Committee will be established in every school and college, comprising representatives of the institution and the police, to monitor drug-related activities in and around campuses and conduct regular awareness programmes.

According to Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambhe, the campaign aims to create a strong network of students, educational institutions, parents, and police to detect drug abuse early and guide young people towards a healthy and productive life.

The programme began with the inauguration and inspection of the Integrated Command and Control Centre at the Police Commissioner's Office. The Navi Mumbai Airport Police Station was inaugurated online from the same location. The main programme was subsequently held at the Centre of Excellence.

Ahead of the main event, students presented street plays, dance performances, and other cultural programmes conveying messages against drug abuse. The programme also included the felicitation of winners of reel and poster-making competitions and the distribution of letters from the Chief Minister to three principals.

Following speeches by Fadnavis and Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, students took a pledge to stay away from drugs. The De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre, established jointly by the Navi Mumbai Police and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, will provide medical treatment, psychiatric assistance, and counselling.

A 10-bed residential facility will also be available for those requiring intensive treatment. The centre will focus not only on medical treatment but also on psychological support and rehabilitation to help recovering addicts return to mainstream society.

The newly inaugurated Integrated Command and Control Centre will bring together CCTV feeds from the Navi Mumbai and Panvel municipal corporation areas and the Taloja MIDC region. Police will be able to monitor important locations from a single centre, strengthening surveillance and helping in faster detection and investigation of crimes.

The campaign is a significant step towards addressing the growing concern of drug abuse among students in Navi Mumbai. With the establishment of Anti-Narcotics Committees in schools and colleges, the police and educational institutions can work together to prevent drug-related activities and promote a healthy and safe environment for students.

In conclusion, the launch of the Campus Connect campaign marks a crucial initiative by the Navi Mumbai Police to combat drug abuse among students. The campaign's focus on awareness, prevention, and rehabilitation is expected to have a positive impact on the community, and its success will depend on the active participation of students, educational institutions, parents, and the police.