Hyderabad: The Telangana Prisons and Correctional Services Department observed Drug Abuse Awareness Day across prisons in the state on Thursday as part of Anti-Drug Awareness Week and the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The department organised awareness and rehabilitation programmes to educate inmates about the dangers of substance abuse.
The programmes took place under the guidance of Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services Dr. Soumya Mishra, IPS. They focused on promoting healthy lifestyles and strengthening rehabilitation efforts among inmates.
Dr. Mishra attended the programme at Central Prison, Hyderabad. She unveiled the official logo of the Nivrutti De-Addiction Centre, highlighting the department’s commitment to rehabilitation, recovery and social reintegration. She also unveiled anti-drug awareness wall posters to educate inmates, prison staff and visitors about prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
Drug Abuse Awareness Day highlights rehabilitation efforts
Prisons across Telangana organised counselling sessions, motivational talks, awareness programmes, cultural activities, pledge-taking ceremonies and interactive sessions. The activities focused on preventing drug abuse and encouraging recovery. Officials also highlighted the work of the Nivrutti De-Addiction Centres at Central Prisons in Hyderabad, Cherlapalli, Nizamabad and Sangareddy, along with the Special Prison for Women in Hyderabad.
Department data showed that the four de-addiction centres recorded 15,645 prison admissions between mid-July 2025 and mid-June 2026. Officials screened 12,675 inmates, or 81.02 per cent, for substance use disorders at admission. The screening identified 4,200 inmates with substance dependence. They received treatment and rehabilitation services.
The department also conducted 4,100 individual counselling sessions, 1,150 follow-up counselling sessions, 507 psychoeducation and group therapy sessions, and 317 awareness programmes. In addition, counsellors completed 550 post-release follow-up interactions through telephone counselling to support continued recovery and social reintegration.
Prison officials, counsellors, medical personnel and inmates participated in the programmes. They took the Anti-Drug Pledge and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a drug-free lifestyle. Inspector General of Prisons N. Murali Babu and Central Prison, Hyderabad Superintendent N. Shiva Kumar Goud also attended the event.
Drug Abuse Awareness Day extends to national consultation
As part of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Turn Your Concern Into Action Foundation (TYCIA), in collaboration with the Punjab Prisons Department, will organise a national consultation on “Drugs, HIV and Prison Health Responses.”
Dr. Soumya Mishra will represent Telangana at the consultation. She will present the best practices adopted under the Nivrutti De-Addiction Centres. Her presentation will cover screening systems, treatment protocols, counselling services, continuity-of-care initiatives and social reintegration models. DIG Prisons M. Sampath will also participate in the consultation.