The month-long 'Youth Against Drugs' awareness drive in Mohali officially wrapped up on Tuesday with a spirited walkathon. The event marked the culmination of a sustained effort led by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Mohali, to combat substance abuse among young people.
Walkathon Unites Judiciary, Students, and Volunteers
The concluding walkathon commenced at Manav Mangal Smart School in Sector 88 and finished at the District Courts Complex in Mohali. The event was spearheaded by distinguished members of the judiciary, including Justice Harisimran Singh Sethi of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District and Sessions Judge Atul Kasana, and Punjab State Legal Services Authority (PSLSA) Member Secretary Navjot Kaur.
A broad cross-section of the community participated in the walk. According to Surbhi Prashar, Secretary of DLSA, Mohali, attendees included Jagdeep Kaur (Additional Member Secretary, PSLSA), judicial officers from Mohali Sessions Courts, panel advocates, para-legal volunteers, and students from Chandigarh University, Gharuan. To honour their involvement, Justice Sethi distributed certificates of appreciation to all participants at the event's conclusion.
Campaign Overview and Multi-Pronged Outreach
Providing background on the initiative, Secretary Prashar explained that the 'Youth Against Drugs' campaign was first launched on December 6 last year. It was initiated by the Punjab State Legal Services Authority under the guidance of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, a judge at the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Executive Chairman of PSLSA.
The campaign's success was attributed to the collaborative efforts of multiple stakeholders. "The campaign saw the active involvement of panel advocates, para-legal volunteers, the local administration, and the health and education departments," Prashar noted. Throughout the district, a variety of activities were organised to spread the anti-drug message:
- Rallies, workshops, and seminars were conducted extensively.
- Educational institutions hosted speech and debate competitions.
- Students engaged in poster-making and chart-making events.
- Street plays (nukkad nataks) were performed to sensitise youth about the dangers of drug addiction.
Sustained Impact and Community Mobilisation
The conclusion of the walkathon symbolises not an end, but a milestone in ongoing efforts to create a drug-free environment for Punjab's youth. By directly engaging students through creative competitions and leveraging the authority of the judicial system, the campaign aimed to build a strong, informed resistance against drug abuse. The participation of high-ranking judges in the walkathon underscored the seriousness with which the legal community views this social issue and served to inspire wider community action.
