Bhubaneswar, Jan 3: Students will now have to submit an anti-drug declaration during their admissions at all higher educational institutions (HEIs) in Odisha.
The Higher Education department has informed the institutions in this regard on Tuesday.
The institutions - public universities, government and non-government aided colleges (both technical and general) – are directed to take mandatory anti-drug affidavits from the students.
The move is being implemented under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s Nasha Mukta Bharat Abhiyaan to make educational campuses drug free across the country.
The declaration prohibits the students from carrying, selling and consuming drugs, alcohol and tobacco products within their campuses. Besides, students are expected to report to the institution authorities of any instances of drug/alcohol/tobacco consumption and sale by any student or staff on the premises or nearby.
Under Nasha Mukta Bharat Abhiyaan programme, the departments of Higher Education, SSEPD and Health coordinate with the ministry for all aspects of drug abuse prevention, preventive measures, treatment and rehabilitation of drug users and creating public awareness on the issue. Around 5,263 youths in 50 HEIs have so far been covered under the programme in the state.
