Hyderabad: Minister for Roads and Buildings Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Thursday flagged off an anti-drug rally from NG College in Nalgonda town as part of Anti-Drug Awareness Week.
Addressing the gathering at Clock Tower Circle, Komatireddy expressed concern over rising drug use among students since the COVID-19 pandemic. He said substance abuse is seriously damaging youth and urged students to stay away from drugs. “Drugs have no place in Telangana,” he said.
The Minister said the State government is prioritising youth development and announced that a Skill University is being set up for students. He said a Rs 34 crore Skill Centre would soon be inaugurated in Nalgonda by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. Students were asked to focus on academics, sports, and yoga at least until the age of 20, and avoid excessive use of mobile phones.
He advised students to prepare for competitive exams and aim for government jobs, calling this stage a turning point in their lives. Komatireddy warned drug peddlers and users that strict action is underway in Hyderabad and across the State. He encouraged citizens to confront drug users if necessary and report them to the police.
Komatireddy also announced the construction of a new school at Prakasham Bazaar with digital classrooms and modern facilities in partnership with the Prateek Foundation. He assured full support from both the government and his office for student-focused projects taken up by the foundation.
Recalling his past activism, Komatireddy mentioned his 11-day hunger strike held in Nalgonda in support of the Telangana movement.
The event was attended by District SP Sharath Chandra Pawar, Additional Collector J. Srinivas, MLC Shankar Naik, Miryalaguda Sub-Collector Narayana Amit, Additional SP Ramesh, DWO Krishnaveni, former Municipal Chairman Burri Srinivas Reddy, and the DEO. All participants took a pledge against drug abuse.
డ్రగ్స్ అనే మహమ్మారిని తరిమికొడదాం!
నల్గొండలో మాదక ద్రవ్యాల వ్యతిరేక వారోత్సవంలో భాగంగా, ఎన్.జి. కళాశాల నుండి క్లాక్ టవర్ వరకు నిర్వహించిన ర్యాలీలో యువతతో కలిసి నడవడం జరిగింది.
కరోనా అనంతరం డ్రగ్స్ వినియోగం పెరుగుతున్న దృష్ట్యా… స్టూడెంట్స్ డ్రగ్స్కి బానిసలవుతున్న ఈ… pic.twitter.com/ZOv8cZ4KMA
— Komatireddy Venkat Reddy (@KomatireddyKVR) June 26, 2025