In a massive community push to combat substance abuse, Mangaluru is gearing up to host a monumental marathon involving nearly 20,000 participants, including students. This flagship event is a cornerstone of the ambitious 'Drug-Free Mangaluru' campaign, a joint initiative by the Make A Change Foundation (MACF) and the Mangaluru City Police.
Campaign Launch and Awareness Drive
The campaign will be formally inaugurated on December 27 at the TMA Pai International Convention Centre. The event will see Assembly Speaker UT Khader as the chief guest, with Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV, and various religious leaders in attendance.
MACF founder and chairman, Suhail Kandak, announced that the mega marathon is scheduled for the last week of January 2026. Parallel to this, the foundation plans to conduct 100 awareness programmes against drug abuse in schools and colleges across the Dakshina Kannada district.
Ongoing Initiatives and Community Response
The groundwork is already in full swing. The foundation has held six awareness campaigns on college campuses, which have received positive feedback. Many parents have approached the organisers seeking help to free their children from addiction. Through the Born Again Recovery Centre, counselling has been arranged for seven students already.
Further engaging the youth, a poster campaign saw participation from over 2,000 students. Two flash mob programmes have been conducted, and three vehicles equipped with LED displays screening awareness slides are currently stationed at Karavali Utsava programme venues to spread the message.
Expert Call for a United Front Against Drugs
Psychologist Ruksana Mangaluru underscored the urgency of the issue, noting that the number of students exposed to drugs is constantly rising. She emphasised that society must unite to eradicate this menace and stressed the critical need for sustained awareness campaigns.
The 'Drug-Free Mangaluru' campaign represents a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach combining mass participation events like the marathon, extensive educational outreach in institutions, and accessible support systems for rehabilitation. It aims to foster a collective responsibility to safeguard the city's youth and future.
