Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Aug 28: The Directorate of Education has directed all schools in Goa to ensure that the area within a 500-metre radius of their campuses is maintained as a “drug-free zone” with immediate effect.

The directive follows a recommendation from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Ministry of Home Affairs, as part of a nationwide initiative to curb drug abuse among students.

In a circular issued on Thursday, Director of Education Shailesh Zingde instructed heads of all government, aided and unaided secondary and higher secondary schools, along with special schools, to take immediate steps to implement the recommendation.

“The school heads shall ensure that the area within a radius of 500 metres from the school premises is maintained as a Drug-Free Zone,” the circular stated.

The Education Department has directed school authorities to ensure strict compliance with the order.

The move aims to create a protective zone around educational institutions and safeguard students from exposure to drugs and other substance-abuse risks in areas surrounding schools.