Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay marked the International Day Against Drug Abuse by flagging off a massive anti-drug awareness run along Chennai’s Marina Beach and later surprised participants by joining them for the run.
Dressed in tracks, sneakers and sunglasses, the Chief Minister ran alongside hundreds of participants, many of them youngsters, wearing a T-shirt carrying the slogan “Start Run, Stop Drugs”.
The event witnessed a huge turnout, with long stretches of Marina Road filled with runners participating in the awareness campaign.
Chief Minister promotes anti-drug message
Before the run commenced, Vijay wrote the slogan “Sporta Edu, Drugs Vidu” (Take up sports and give up drugs) on an awareness board set up at the venue.
Several ministers present at the event also signed the board in support of the campaign and pledged their commitment to creating a drug-free society.
The awareness run formed part of a series of statewide programmes organised by the Tamil Nadu government to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Ministers join the run
Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna ran alongside the Chief Minister during the event, while several other ministers participated in different stretches of the run.
Praising the Chief Minister’s enthusiasm, Arjuna said Vijay was the only Chief Minister to have participated in a 3-km marathon.
He added that Tamil Nadu would soon become healthier under the Chief Minister’s leadership and stressed the importance of promoting sports and healthy lifestyles among young people.
Anti-drug pledge administered
During the programme, Vijay also administered an anti-drug pledge, urging citizens not only to stay away from narcotics but also to help friends and family members overcome addiction.
He called upon people to support efforts to eradicate the drug menace from society and emphasised the need for collective action in tackling substance abuse.
The awareness campaign comes a day after the Chief Minister launched the state’s anti-drug anthem as part of a broader initiative aimed at combating drug abuse across Tamil Nadu.
Drug eradication a key government priority
Politically, the elimination of drugs has emerged as one of the flagship promises of the ruling government.
The administration has repeatedly linked the growing drug menace to deteriorating law and order and crimes against women.
During his recent address on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, Vijay had criticised the previous government for allegedly failing to curb the unrestricted movement of narcotics across the state.
The Marina Beach run forms part of the government’s larger strategy to create awareness among the youth about the dangers of substance abuse and encourage them to embrace sports and healthier lifestyles.
Officials said similar awareness programmes were organised across Tamil Nadu on Thursday, with schools, colleges, youth organisations and government departments participating in anti-drug campaigns.
The government hopes that sustained awareness initiatives and community participation will help reduce substance abuse and strengthen efforts to build a drug-free Tamil Nadu.