Mandi SP leads drug awareness finale with youth at the centre

In a commendable initiative led by Mandi SP Sakshi Verma, a month-long drug awareness campaign culminated in a powerful finale event today. It brought together schools from across the district.

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The campaign, which reached every school in the region, aimed at educating young minds about the grim realities of drug and alcohol abuse.

The grand finale featured a painting and a debate competition, wherein students voiced the consequences of substance abuse.

Renowned psychiatrist Dr Satyavrat Vaidya addressed the students, explaining in clear medical terms how drugs harm the body and mind. His session left a lasting impression on the young attendees.

The highlight of the event was an emotional and inspiring talk by Panki Sood, a former heroin addict-turned mountain adventurer and founder of the Himalayan Volunteer Foundation (HVT). Sharing his journey from addiction to recovery, he moved the audience and proved that a new life is possible beyond drugs.

Sood has also launched Project Sambhav under the HVT Foundation — an ambitious awareness mission aimed at reaching 10 lakh students across Himachal and India. The project’s message is simple yet powerful — awareness is the only vaccine against addiction.

The event concluded with a strong call for collective responsibility — from schools, parents, law enforcement and the community — to create a drug-free Himachal and a stronger India.