Raipur: A few months ahead of the Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday ordered the launch of a public awareness campaign against addiction across the state, particularly keeping the younger generation in mind, a government official said.
The CM has asked Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain to consult renowned individuals and organisations working against addiction in the country to prepare a blueprint for the campaign, he said. The social welfare department has been asked to submit a detailed action plan in connection with the public awareness drive within a month and ensure active association of NGOs, and social, cultural and religious organisations in the campaign to make it successful, he said.
In the directive to Jain, the CM called addiction a social evil that results in serious ailments to people also causing untimely death, an official statement said. People consume ganja, bhang, tobacco, liquor, and other such substances for addiction and the state government has been trying to prevent it and make society addiction-free. But until people are not connected with the cause, the campaign against addiction cannot be successful, Baghel said.