14 August,2026 02:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Chembur holds drug awareness rally (Pic/Special arrangement)
Around 400 to 450 people, including school students, local residents, peace committee members and volunteers, participated in an awareness rally in Chembur on Friday as part of the Maharashtra government's Drugs Free Mumbai Campaign 2026.
The rally was organised under the guidance of the Mumbai Police Commissioner and coordinated by senior police officials from the Eastern Regional Division, Eastern Region-1 and Chembur police station.
The rally began at around 10:50 am from Mumbai Public School in Subhash Nagar. Participants marched through Subhash Nagar and Road No. 11 before proceeding along Central Avenue Road. The rally concluded at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Udyan at around 11:35 am.
Speaking about the initiative, Rajesh Kewale, senior police inspector at Chembur police station, said awareness programmes were important to involve citizens, particularly young students, in efforts to combat drug abuse.
"Such awareness programmes are important to involve citizens, especially young students, in the fight against drug abuse. We want to spread the message of a drug-free Maharashtra and encourage people to stay away from drugs," Kewale said.
Participants carried banners and placards highlighting the dangers of drug abuse and raised slogans calling for a drug-free Maharashtra. Patriotic slogans, including "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", were also raised during the rally.
Police personnel, students, local residents, representatives of volunteer organisations, members of mohalla and peace committees, and other prominent citizens took part in the awareness drive.
The initiative aimed to strengthen public awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse and encourage greater community participation in the campaign against substance abuse, particularly among young people.
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on July 30 launched the 'Drug-Free Mumbai' campaign and called upon citizens to collectively work towards creating a drug-free Mumbai, Maharashtra and India.
Launching the campaign at the Worli Dome, CM Fadnavis said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Nashamukt Bharat' (Drug-Free India) can only be achieved through coordinated efforts by governments, institutions and citizens.
Fadnavis, while administering a pledge for a drug-free society to those present, said, "The fight against substance abuse is a collective struggle for the nation's future. To realise the dream of a drug-free India, we must first resolve to build a drug-free Mumbai and drug-free Maharashtra."
