Awareness Program, KPR Institute Engineering and Technology, Autonomous Engineering Institution, Coimbatore, India

Objectives of the Program:

• To raise awareness among school students about the harmful effects of drug use and substance abuse.

• To promote healthy lifestyle choices through knowledge, peer discussion, and active engagement.

• To strengthen school-based preventive education and early intervention strategies.
  
  Program Highlights:

  • Day 1 (24th July 2025):
    Awareness sessions were conducted at three Government Schools—[insert school names if available]. Topics included:

    • Introduction to drug types and addiction stages

    • Physical and mental health consequences

    • Role of peer pressure and resisting tactics

    • Legal implications and social impacts

    Resource persons included health professionals, psychologists, and police department representatives.

  • Day 2 (25th July 2025):
    The remaining three schools were covered with a similar format. Activities included:

    • Visual storytelling, short films, and animated case studies

    • Open-floor Q&A sessions with invited speakers

    • Poster-making and slogan-writing competitions

    • Collective Anti-Drug Pledge by students and teachers
      
      Outcomes & Impact:

      • High Engagement: Students actively participated in discussions, interactive sessions, and creative competitions.

      • Improved Awareness: A pre- and post-session quiz showed a 60% improvement in understanding about the consequences of drug abuse.

      • Positive Feedback: Teachers and school heads appreciated the relevance of the topic and requested follow-up sessions annually.

      • Behavioral Change Indicators: Several students voluntarily interacted with counselors post-session regarding peer concerns and stress-related issues, indicating trust and openness built through the initiative.
        
        Challenges Observed:

        • Some students were initially hesitant to speak due to stigma or unfamiliarity with the topic.

        • Logistical coordination across multiple schools in two days required meticulous planning and team deployment.
          
          The two-day awareness campaign was a significant step toward preventive education in combating drug use among school children. It successfully provided students with knowledge, courage, and a support framework to say “No to Drugs” and “Yes to Life.”