An awareness rally and a meeting were organised in Visakhapatnam on Friday to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, with health officials highlighting the need to prevent substance abuse among young people and encourage those affected to seek treatment.

Organised by the Disha IDU Project under the District AIDS, Leprosy and TB Control Office, the programme began at the De-addiction Centre at the ENT Hospital and concluded at the Government Mental Hospital after passing through the Polamamba Temple.

Government Mental Hospital Superintendent K. V. Rami Reddy said the Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centre plays a vital role in helping people overcome opioid dependence. District AIDS, Leprosy and TB Officer R. Ramesh spoke about the psychological, physical and economic consequences of drug addiction and stressed the need for sustained public awareness to curb substance abuse.

Representatives of the Disha IDU Project, the OST Centre, voluntary organisations and health department personnel took part in the programme. An anti-drug pledge was administered to the participants at the end of the event.