Sajeevam raising drug-free Heroes: uniting children against drug abuse

This year Caritas India and Santhwanam, Thrissur teamed up to organize a State Level Anti-Drug observation day program at St. Joseph’s Model HSS, Kuriachira, Kerala on 26th June 2023. The day is observed worldwide as International Day Against Drug Abuse and Addiction to raise awareness about the global problem of drug abuse and addiction.

Caritas India in close collaboration with the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) & Catholic Dioceses in Kerala has initiated the ‘Sajeevam’ campaign to increase awareness among individual families and communities on the negative impact of drug and substance abuse.

“School children can play a significant role in preventing drug abuse at the family level,” said Mr. Abeesh Antony, State Programme Officer, Kerala, who enlightened the audience about bringing together students, teachers, and staff to address the pressing issue of drug abuse. Mr. Abeesh emphasized the importance of early intervention and awareness, urging students to be vigilant and proactive in spreading awareness about the risks of substance abuse.

A street play & theme dance was performed by the social work student at St. Mary’s College, Thrissur, Kerala. The performers effectively showcased the detrimental consequences of drug addiction, aiming to create a lasting impact on the audience and encourage them to join the fight against drug abuse.

A thought-provoking debate was conducted among school students on the topic of “Children can prevent drug and alcoholism in the family.” The debate not only brought the students’ research and public speaking skills but also ignited an important conversation on a topic that affects many households. The event inspired the students to take active roles in promoting a healthy and drug-free environment within their families and the broader community.

1,800 school students participated in the poster-making and collage-making competition using their creativity and artistic skills to convey powerful messages highlighting the consequences of drug addiction and the importance of making healthy choices. The competition successfully fostered a sense of unity and commitment toward combating drug addiction in our school.