Haryana’s approach to drug prevention has evolved beyond enforcement to focus on empowering students with essential life skills. Recognizing that the key to keeping young people away from drugs and gangs lies in problem-solving, leadership, and resilience, we have shifted from traditional awareness programs to structured, skill-based interventions.
Our initial effort, an educational escape room costing ₹15 lakh per unit, provided an immersive learning experience where students had to think critically to “escape” the traps of drug addiction and gang involvement. While impactful, scalability was a challenge. A national-level hackathon was then held to develop Chakravyuh as a mobile game, but the idea did not gain traction.
A more sustainable solution emerged in the form of the Shape The Future Awards, an initiative that transforms Chakravyuh into a poem rather than a game. This program engages schools, principals, teachers, and students, encouraging them to integrate the anti-drug message into school activities such as debates, storytelling, leadership workshops, and creative competitions. Instead of a one-time event, the STF Awards ensure that students internalize the message over time through structured participation.
By making drug prevention a part of skill-building and leadership development, the initiative moves beyond fear-based messaging to a model of empowerment and future readiness. Students not only learn about the dangers of drugs and gangs but also develop decision-making skills, resilience, and the ability to navigate challenges—qualities that prepare them to become productive adults.
This effort is further strengthened by community-driven programs like Namak Lota Abhiyan, which discourages small-scale drug peddling through societal pressure, and the #NashaMuktJeevanBucketChallenge, a viral social media movement promoting a drug-free lifestyle. By integrating school-based programs with larger community engagement initiatives, Haryana is turning anti-drug awareness into a pro-leadership, pro-skill, and pro-growth movement.
The journey from escape rooms to mobile games to structured awards has demonstrated that the best way to fight addiction is not just through restriction but through opportunity and empowerment. Instead of simply telling young people to say no to drugs, we are encouraging them to say yes to problem-solving, leadership, and personal excellence.
Poem: Rise Above, Go Beyond
Childhood and youth aren’t just for play,
They shape the adult you’ll be someday.
The choices you make, the paths you take,
Will decide the future you create.
Drugs and gangs? They lead to despair,
They steal your dreams, they don’t play fair.
Stay clear of traps that pull you down,
Don’t trade your smile for a hollow frown.
Instead, stay focused, sharpen your mind,
Master a skill that’s one of a kind.
Be it tech, art, or something new,
The world is waiting to learn from you.
But skill alone isn’t all you’ll need,
Learn to connect, to guide, to lead.
People skills are your secret key,
To unlock doors and opportunity.
The purpose of youth is to grow, to learn,
To build a life for which you yearn.
Avoid the shortcuts, stay on track,
Work with pride—there’s no turning back.
So rise above, take charge today,
Your purpose is clear—don’t lose your way.