CM Joseph Vijay Leads Chennai Drug Awareness Marathon From Marina To Island Grounds

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay flagged off and joined approximately 15,000 participants in the 'Start Run, Stop Drugs' awareness marathon on Friday, which started from the Anna memorial on the Marina and concluded at the Island Grounds in Chennai. Held on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the event aimed to raise awareness about the ill effects of substance abuse and promote sports and education as constructive alternatives for the youth.

Organized by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), the marathon saw a large turnout of young people, sports personalities, and coaches. Clad in a black and grey tracksuit and white running shoes, Chief Minister Vijay flagged off the run before joining the stream of runners himself and interacting with the young participants.

During the event, Vijay signed a plaque inscribed with the slogan, "Start Run, Stop Drugs – Sports ah edu, Drugs ah vidu" (Take sports, leave drugs).

In a social media message, the Chief Minister emphasized that a drug-free Tamil Nadu could be created by involving the youth in constructive activities such as education, sports, and skill development. He stated that awareness about the ill effects of drugs is essential to protect young people from falling prey to drugs and to prevent crimes. He also called upon the people to stand by the government in its efforts to create a drug-free Tamil Nadu.

A large number of prominent sports personalities and Olympians participated in the run alongside the Chief Minister. Among those who ran with Vijay on the occasion were hockey legends V Bhaskaran and Mohamad Riyas, Thirumal Valavan, Arjuna Award winner Joshna Chinnappa, and Padmashree awardee Anitha Pauldurai.

Other sports figures in attendance included Raman and Sharatkamal (table tennis), Devarajan (boxing), Naganathan Pandi (athletics), C A Bhavanidevi (fencing), Tarun Ayyasamy and Revathy (both athletics). Dronacharya Award winner Srinivasa Rao, the kabbadi player Kavitha who won the Major Dhyan Chand Award, and coaches like Petros (athletics) and William More (hockey) also participated in the early morning event alongside SDAT trainees.