Mangaluru, Oct 16: St. Joseph Engineering College (SJEC), in collaboration with the Mangaluru City Police, organized an anti-drug awareness programme for second-year BE students on October 15 at the Kalam Auditorium.
The event was inaugurated by Mithun H N, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Mangaluru City Police. Other dignitaries included Arun Kumar, Police Sub-Inspector, Mangaluru Rural Police Station; Pradeep, Police Constable, Mangaluru Rural Police Station; Dr. K Jyothi, Dean of Student Welfare; and Dr. Pramila Rita D’Souza, Head of the Department of Chemistry at SJEC. The dignitaries were escorted to the dais by Sheetal Fernandes and Dr. Saumya Y M, coordinators of the programme.
The programme commenced with an invocation, followed by a welcome address from Dr. K Jyothi, who emphasized the importance of creating awareness about the dangers of substance abuse. She encouraged students to make informed and wise choices, guided by knowledge, courage, and conviction, to contribute towards building a drug-free society.
Chief Guest Mithun H N cautioned students against the initial temptation of experimenting with drugs, often influenced by peers. He explained that what may begin as casual use can soon turn into a harmful habit and eventually lead to becoming a peddler. He urged students to stay strong, avoid falling victim to such influences, focus on their studies, and work towards building a bright and successful future.
Arun Kumar and Pradeep addressed the growing threats of cybercrime, explaining how individuals can fall prey to online scams. They highlighted that even small actions, like paying a small amount or clicking on suspicious links, can lead to severe financial loss. They urged students to stay alert and never become victims or perpetrators of such crimes, emphasizing that engaging in activities harmful to society can have serious consequences. They also noted that once a police complaint is registered under an individual’s name, it can become difficult to obtain government jobs, passports, or visas in the future. Therefore, students must act responsibly, safeguard their data, and immediately report any suspicious activity to the nearest police department.
The programme concluded with a prize distribution ceremony for the winners of the reel-making competition organized as part of the event. DCP Mithun H N felicitated the students and presented the prizes, appreciating their creativity and active participation in promoting a drug-free and safe society.
The event was concluded by giving a memento to all the dignitaries as a token of gratitude. The vote of thanks was rendered by Sheetal Fernandes, coordinator of the programme at SJEC.