In a significant push towards creating a drug-free state, the Andhra Pradesh government marked the conclusion of a massive public awareness campaign with strong commitments from top ministers. The Abhyudaya cycle yatra, an extensive 53-day journey spanning 1,300 kilometers across four districts, culminated grandly in Ichchapuram town, Srikakulam district, on Saturday.
Ministers Pledge a Drug-Free Future for Andhra's Youth
Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu delivered a powerful message at the closing ceremony. He asserted that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is resolutely determined to transform Andhra Pradesh into a state free from intoxication. Criticizing the previous administration, Ram Mohan Naidu stated that the state had turned into a hub for drugs, which severely damaged the future prospects of the youth.
He emphasized that the current coalition government is actively uprooting cannabis cultivation and is focused on converting the youth into a skilled workforce equipped for the modern world. "We want the youth of Srikakulam to shine globally, not just through hard work but by integrating modern technology and skills," the Union Minister remarked. Alongside Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, he unveiled a special pylon to commemorate the event.
Alarming Statistics and a Community-Wide Fight
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, who hails from Ichchapuram, expressed her satisfaction at the yatra's conclusion in her hometown. She highlighted the severe social distress caused by drug abuse, citing instances of students under the influence of cannabis attacking their own parents. She urged the youth to not ruin their futures and explained that the government's approach combines punitive action with widespread awareness.
The scale of the crackdown was revealed through stark statistics: authorities have seized assets worth Rs 9.13 crore and destroyed a staggering 53,000 kg of cannabis. Police officials stressed that this battle cannot be won by law enforcement alone. Visakhapatnam Range IG Gopinath Jetty called for collective societal participation in drug prevention.
Echoing the gravity of the situation, Eagle IG A. Ravi Krishna pointed out a telling trend: parents are now filing formal complaints against their own children, indicating the deep level of enslavement caused by intoxicants.
Mass Participation and Key Attendees
The yatra successfully mobilized communities, with 1.14 lakh students and 36,000 citizens participating across its route. The event resonated with the chant "Say No to Drugs Bro." The culmination ceremony saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Government Whip Bendalam Ashok, MLAs Nadukuduti Eshwara Rao, Baggu Ramanamurthy, and Gouthu Sirisha, District Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar, District SP KV Maheshwar Reddy, and SPs from Anakapalli, Vizianagaram, and Parvathipuram Manyam districts.
The event marks a pivotal moment in Andhra Pradesh's renewed and intensified war against drugs, combining government resolve, police action, and community engagement to safeguard the state's youth.
