Activist sets sights on making Gurgaon drug-free

Shukla has been touring schools and residential complexes to raise awareness on drug and alcohol abuse

Anita Shukla, a 48-year-old resident of Vipul Greens on Sohna Road, has set sights on making each city condominium drug-free. She has been reaching out to all residents’ welfare associations and schools across the city to raise awareness on the dangers associated with alcohol and drug abuse.

Anita Shukla said she has been working towards her goal of a drug-free society since 2016. (HT PHOTO)

She said educating the youth about alcohol and drug abuse is essential as it will help them stay away from addictions and also go a long way in reducing crimes.

Shukla said she has been providing teachers and parents with educator packs free of cost and has also organised interactive sessions at residential complexes on weekends in a bid to make children aware of the dangers associated with drug and alcohol.

She said she had been working towards her goal of a drug-free society since September 2016 and formed a Gurgaon group, comprising around 10 members, in December 2016.

“I left the corporate world in the year 2016, as I wanted to take up activities that gives me more satisfaction. I took up humanitarian work. I belong to a family of freedom fighters and always wanted to do something for the betterment of the country and her people,” Shukla said.

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She said that as she set out to fulfil her objective of giving back to the society and raise awareness on drug and alcohol abuse, she was alarmed by the increasing rate of crime.

“Often, crimes have their origins in drug and alcohol abuse. Hence, I wanted to strike at the root of it by raising awareness on the dangers associated with such addictions,” Shukla said.

She said that initially, she could barely dedicate a few hours a month to this cause, but now it takes up most of her time.

“There are many people who are doing constructive work in Gurgaon and I have tied up with them to pursue several humanitarian causes,” Shukla said.

Shukla said she couldn’t have pursued her dream of making the society drug-free without the support of her family members and hopes that more families allow their women to follow their dreams.