Pathanamthitta, On tuesday, a week-long anti-drug abuse awareness campaign has been launched by police among school-college students in the district as part of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observance.

The awareness programme would be held at 30 select schools and eight colleges, said Superintendent of Police Harishankar.

The aim of the campaign was to make the youth properly aware of the dangers involved in drug abuse and to inform them about the harmful effects of new psychoactive substances.

"Lack of understanding of the adverse effects and addictive nature of these substances posed a major public health challenge. Everyone has a part to play in protecting the youth of the world from dangerous substances", said municipal chairperson Rejani Pradeep.

Athul S. Nath, Trainee Deputy Collector, presided over the function.