Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay participated in a marathon on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, flagging off the 'Start Run, Stop Drugs' awareness run in Chennai on June 26, 2026. The event marked a first for the state, with the young CM running over 20 minutes alongside the people to promote a drug-free society.
CM Leads by Example
Vijay, also known as Thalapathy Vijay, took an anti-drug pledge during the event. The pledge included statements such as: "I am fully aware. I will not fall victim to drug addiction; furthermore, I will prevent my family members and friends from falling victim to drug addiction and will offer them counsel; I will fully dedicate my…" according to a post by George on X.
The marathon was organized to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and to encourage healthy lifestyles. Social media posts from users like Pokkiri_Victor and Nabila Jamal highlighted the CM's active participation, with one tweet stating, "A young Chief Minister. Over 20 minutes of marathon running with the people. Tamil Nadu is witnessing a first."
Official Endorsement and Impact
The official X account of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Office (@CMOTamilnadu) posted a Tamil message confirming Vijay's participation: "மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் திரு. ச. ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் சர்வதேச போதைப்பொருள் எதிர்ப்பு தினத்தை முன்னிட்டு ஸ்டார்ட் Run ஸ்டாப் Drugs போதைப்பொருள் எதிர்ப்பு ஓட்டத்தை தொடங்கி வைத்தார்."
Gomathi Sivam tweeted, "Leading by example. SAY NO TO DRUGS. By running the marathon, @CMOTamilnadu sent a powerful message. His commitment to eradicate the drug menace is absolute." The event underscores the state government's focus on combating drug abuse through public engagement and leadership.
