Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 14 Nov: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Dehradun, organised an awareness camp against drug abuse at Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Public School, Bada Bharuwala, Clement Town, here on Saturday as part of the National Legal Services Authority’s (NALSA) DAWN campaign. The programme was organised on the occasion of Children‘s Day with the objective of educating children about the harmful effects of substance abuse and ways to stay away from addiction.
The campaign is being conducted from Saturday and will go on till Nov. 27, in accordance with the directions of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), New Delhi, and the Uttarakhand State Legal Services Authority, Nainital. The programme is being organised under the guidance and supervision of District Judge and DLSA Chairman Harish Kumar Goyal.
DLSA Secretary Seema Dungarkoti attended the programme. The school management and Principal Shahzad Ali welcomed her by presenting a memento and a bouquet.
Addressing the students, Dungarkoti highlighted the importance of preventing substance abuse and explained various ways in which children could protect themselves from falling prey to addiction. She also provided detailed information about children‘s rights, child protection, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and how to identify safe and unsafe touch. In addition, she sensitised the students about cyber security and explained the procedures for seeking assistance in cases of exploitation, abuse or harassment.
The students were also informed about important helpline numbers and complaint redressal mechanisms available to them. Dungarkoti particularly emphasised that children facing any kind of difficulty or requiring assistance could contact the Child Helpline by dialling 1098.
Subsequently, Para Legal Volunteer Harish Ranswal encouraged the students to incorporate the information shared during the programme into their daily lives. He also discussed in detail the misuse of drugs and the harmful consequences of substance abuse. He informed the students about NALSA’s toll-free helpline number 15100 and explained how it could be used to seek legal assistance.
An inter-school-level awareness activity was also organised in the form of a painting competition on the theme of combating drug abuse. The winners securing the first, second and third positions were honoured and presented with prizes by the DLSA Secretary. She also presented a medical kit to the school principal, which was received with enthusiasm by the students.
A help desk of the District Legal Services Authority was also set up at the school premises, where students interacted with Para Legal Volunteers and discussed their problems and concerns.
The programme concluded with an awareness rally against drug abuse, which was flagged off by Dungarkoti. Through the rally, the students carried the message against substance abuse to residents of the surrounding areas and urged people to stay away from drugs.
The Principal and the teachers expressed their gratitude to the District Legal Services Authority for organising the programme, describing it as an important initiative for creating awareness among children about drug abuse, their rights and personal safety.
Para Legal Volunteers Harish Ranswal, Sajida and Anjana Ranswal extended their cooperation in organising the programme. A total of 275 students participated in the awareness camp and related activities.
