Minister Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy at the five-year celebration of Nisha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, in Vijayawada on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: KVS GIRI

Minister for Social Welfare, Differently Abled and Senior Citizens Welfare Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy has said that the government has set up a de-addiction centre in every district to help those addicted to drugs.

The Minister was speaking at a programme organised to mark five years of the Union government’s ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ in Vijayawada on Tuesday.

Pointing out that EAGLE stands for Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement, the Minister said it brings together various departments such as Police, Excise and Education.

Using drones, the system identified regions in Uttarandhra where narcotic crops are grown and marijuana plantations were destroyed there, he said, adding that the government was raising awareness among ganja cultivators and training them in cultivation of alternative crops.

If any individual suspects that marijuana is being cultivated in their surroundings, they should immediately inform the police, the Minister said.

He mentioned how strict action is being taken against those peddling narcotic substances in the form of chocolates, cigarettes and liquid near educational institutions.

Four drug de-addiction centres have come up in the prisons too, the Minister added.

Urging youth to stay away from drugs, the Minister said they should make use of opportunities being created for them by the State government.

Later, EAGLE SP K.S. Nagesh said many initiatives have been undertaken to curb drug abuse, and marijuana cultivation. He said that measures have been taken to ensure that no narcotic products are available within 100 meters of educational institutions.

Vijayawada East MLA Gadde Rammohan was also present in the programme.

Published – November 19, 2025 11:10 am IST