Film Industry Urged to Champion Anti-Drug Message Through Video Campaign

Hyderabad: Telangana's Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka has called on the Telugu film industry to mobilize behind an anti-narcotics awareness campaign, seeking video messages from entertainment personalities to promote the "Say No to Drugs" initiative.

Speaking Friday at an event held at Shilpakala Vedika to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and the Day Against Human Trafficking, Bhatti Vikramarka highlighted cinema's unique capacity to shape public consciousness, particularly among younger demographics across the state.

The Deputy Chief Minister indicated that the government's Information and Cinematography departments stand ready to assist with the production and distribution of awareness content should the film industry require technical or logistical support.

Recognizing the influence of entertainment personalities, Bhatti Vikramarka suggested that brief video messages from actors, directors, and other film figures could resonate powerfully with thousands of young people throughout Telangana.

Comprehensive Government Strategy

Backing the campaign is Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and the State Cabinet, both of whom have committed to preventing drug addiction from taking hold in Telangana. The government has vowed to prevent the circulation and distribution of illegal drugs throughout the state.

To operationalize this commitment, authorities have created the EAGLE Force specifically tasked with dismantling drug trafficking networks. This specialized unit has been equipped with financial allocations, transport resources, and performance incentives for police officers engaged in counter-narcotics work.

Multi-Pronged Awareness Drive

Beyond enforcement measures, the government is rolling out educational initiatives across government and private educational institutions. Bhatti Vikramarka cautioned that violations endangering young people through drug-related activities would face rigorous penalties from law enforcement.

The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that legal frameworks alone cannot resolve the drug crisis. He therefore appealed to elected officials, film personalities, and other public figures to leverage digital platforms and social media channels to expand the reach of anti-drug messaging and strengthen community understanding of substance abuse risks.