The Telangana Police’s EAGLE Force on Monday launched Anti-Drug Awareness Week in Hyderabad as part of the observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Director General of Police (DGP) C.V. Anand inaugurated the week-long programme at the Telangana Integrated Command and Control Centre (TGiCCC) in Banjara Hills and highlighted the growing threat posed by narcotics, particularly among young people.

Addressing students at the event, Mr. Anand described them as the ‘chief guests’ of the programme and said the awareness campaign had been designed primarily for them. He said drug abuse has emerged as one of the country’s biggest challenges and noted that while issues such as Left Wing Extremism had declined over the years, narcotics has become a menace reaching households across the country.

He said India was once largely a transit point for international drug trafficking networks, but the problem has increasingly become a domestic concern after the Covid-19 pandemic. The spread of narcotics was no longer confined to major cities and has extended to districts and villages, he said.

The DGP said investigators not only focused on apprehending offenders but also examined both the demand and supply chains behind the narcotics trade. Drug peddlers were increasingly targeting children and youth, sometimes by mixing narcotic substances with products such as chocolates and biscuits to create addiction, he said.

Urging parents and teachers to remain vigilant, Mr. Anand said behavioural changes among children should never be ignored. Once addiction sets in, the consequences could be severe, affecting physical health, mental well-being and family life. He noted that police had come across cases involving affluent families whose children had fallen prey to substance abuse despite having access to every material comfort.

He stressed that the fight against drugs required participation from every level of the police force, from constables to senior officers, as well as active cooperation from parents, educational institutions and society.

As part of the initiative, a three-day exhibition began at the venue, bringing together various government departments, law enforcement agencies, rehabilitation centres and social organisations working in the areas of drug prevention, public safety and rehabilitation.

Stalls set up by the EAGLE Force, Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, Traffic and Road Safety Wing, She Teams, Bharosa, Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge (TASK), Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Institute of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Facility, New Hope Association and Hyderabad City Police showcased their services and awareness programmes.

The exhibition also featured displays by the police dog squad and weapons unit, aimed at educating students and visitors about law enforcement efforts against narcotics and other crimes.

Officials said the awareness week, which will continue until June 26, is intended to educate students, parents and the public about the dangers of substance abuse while promoting prevention, rehabilitation and community participation in building a drug-free society.