Lucknow: The prohibition department of Uttar Pradesh on Friday organised an exhibition, seminar and awareness programmes at Sahkarita Bhawan, Lucknow, to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The initiative aimed to highlight the harmful effects of intoxicants and promote a drug-free society.The events were held under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, an initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. UP’s excise and prohibition minister, Nitin Agarwal, attended the event as special guest.Addressing the gathering, Agarwal said youths have to be protected from substance abuse. Calling addiction a global challenge, he appealed for collective efforts to combat it. IAS Anurag Yadav stressed that the campaign requires active public participation beyond govt efforts to achieve lasting impact.

