In a powerful display of community engagement, the Guntur district police launched a significant anti-drug awareness initiative on Sunday. A massive cycle rally, aptly titled "Drugs Vaddu Bro – Cycle Thokku Bro (Eagle)," was organized to spread awareness about the devastating effects of narcotics, aligning with the national Fit India movement.
Flag-Off and Rally Route
The event was flagged off near the TIDCO housing complex at Adavi Takkellapadu by senior officials, including Inspector General Ravi Krishna (Eagle), District Collector A Tamim Ansaria, Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal, and Municipal Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu. Participants carried placards and raised slogans, with songs highlighting the dangers of drug abuse and the stringent laws in place.
The rally commenced at the TIDCO Housing near Nallapadu Police Station. It then wound its way through key city points, including Swarna Bharathi Nagar, JKC College Road, Gunturanundla Circle, Swami Theatre Centre, TJPS College, and the Pattabhipuram flyover, before concluding at the District Police Parade Grounds. Throughout the route, awareness meetings, poster releases, and public interactions were held to maximize impact.
Stark Warnings from Officials
Addressing the gathering, IG Ravi Krishna delivered a stern message. He highlighted that many students and youth with promising futures are ending up in jail due to drug abuse, often driven by ignorance, peer pressure, or mere curiosity. He emphasized the severe consequences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
"Those caught even once can face 10 to 20 years of imprisonment," Krishna stated. He further detailed the lifelong scars of a conviction: loss of job opportunities, a ban on travelling abroad, and continuous police surveillance. He made a special appeal to parents, particularly mothers, to remain vigilant and protect their children from addiction. The public was urged to report any suspicious activity to the Eagle helpline at 1972.
Krishna also connected drug trafficking to larger security threats, noting that it funds terrorist groups through narco-terrorism. He stated the campaign's ambitious goal is to safeguard nearly 70 lakh (7 million) youngsters across the state.
Community and Government Support
District Collector A Tamim Ansaria expressed full support for the police initiative, appreciating the innovative "Drugs Vaddu Bro" campaign. She affirmed the government's commitment to large-scale awareness programs targeting students and youth. "Good fitness and cycling can keep youth away from addictions," she remarked, linking the event's format to its health message.
SP Vakul Jindal reinforced the police's zero-tolerance stance, confirming that strict action is being taken against both drug users and suppliers. He encouraged citizens to report offenders through multiple channels: the Eagle helpline 1972, the emergency number Dial 112, or directly to local police stations.
The rally saw enthusiastic participation from approximately 500 individuals, including students, cycling enthusiasts, citizens, and police personnel. The event also drew participation from Eagle SP K M Maheshwar Rao, Additional SP Nagesh Babu, Panchayat Officer Sai Kumar, Pollution Control Executive Engineer Najima Begam, NCC cadets, and students from local schools and colleges, successfully drawing significant public attention to the critical issue of drug abuse.
