Bengaluru: Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), the umbrella university for courses in health sciences, has decided to approach the information and broadcasting ministry with a request to make it mandatory to screen short anti-drug menace videos in cinema halls before film screenings.“Currently, advertisements and awareness videos against tobacco usage are played before screening any film. We plan to urge the ministry to include awareness videos on drug abuse,” said vice-chancellor Bhagavan BC. The university submitted a similar request to the transport department for permission to screen anti-drug videos on long-route buses, Namma Metro trains and at major bus stations. “Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy responded positively to our request and we will soon submit a final proposal for implementation,” he said. As part of its Nasha Mukth campaign, the varsity launched an awareness campaign against drugs on campuses. “Our students have created content and videos to create awareness about drug menace, and all affiliated colleges are required to screen these in classrooms at least twice a week,” he said. The university also set up a task force, comprising police officials, faculty members and student representatives, to monitor drug-related issues on campuses. “The task force has to submit a report to us every three months. From this year, colleges must declare their campuses drug-free during affiliation process,” the VC added.
