Pune: Prof. Rajiv Yeravdekar, provost, faculty of medical & health sciences, Symbiosis International University, on Tuesday launched VIHAAN, an year-long campaign to be implemented by the university to tackle the problem of substance abuse.He highlighted the focus areas of action of VIHAAN based on prevention, reduction in substance consumption, promoting emotional well being, infusing sustainable behavior change, capacity building initiatives undertaken at SIU and most importantly steps to engage the community in substance control activities through peer support, educational outreach, and local media.Yeravdekar outlined the strategies of the yearlong campaign through deployment of effective IEC campaigns, peer support & community participation, Role of Symbiosis Centre for Emotional Wellbeing (SCEW), and most importantly engagement of technology & social media to target Gen Z.This initiative is not a one-time event, but a long-term investment in building clarity, strength, and purpose among our students and communities, said Yeravdekar. “We’re empowering young people to stay drug-free and focused on their goals—with SIU providing a supportive safety net every step of the way,” he added.The movement aligns with the concerns outlined in UNODC World Drug Report 2024, which warns of growing influence of synthetic drugs and the need for early, community-based interventions. Girija Mahale, head of SCEW, said, “This campaign combines science, empathy, and community action. It’s about creating safe spaces where youth don’t just resist drugs—they rediscover purpose, supported by trained professionals and peers.”Pune: Prof. Dr. Rajiv Yeravdekar, provost, faculty of medical & health sciences, Symbiosis International University, on Tuesday launched VIHAAN, an year-long campaign to be implemented by the university to tackle the problem of substance abuse.He highlighted the focus areas of action of VIHAAN based on prevention, reduction in substance consumption, promoting emotional well being, infusing sustainable behavior change, capacity building initiatives undertaken at SIU and most importantly steps to engage the community in substance control activities through peer support, educational outreach, and local media.Dr Yeravdekar outlined the strategies of the yearlong campaign through deployment of effective IEC campaigns, peer support & community participation, Role of Symbiosis Centre for Emotional Wellbeing (SCEW), and most importantly engagement of technology & social media to target Gen Z.This initiative is not a one-time event, but a long-term investment in building clarity, strength, and purpose among our students and communities, said Dr. Yeravdekar. “We’re empowering young people to stay drug-free and focused on their goals—with SIU providing a supportive safety net every step of the way,” he added.The movement aligns with the concerns outlined in UNODC World Drug Report 2024, which warns of growing influence of synthetic drugs and the need for early, community-based interventions. Dr. Girija Mahale, head of SCEW, said, “This campaign combines science, empathy, and community action. It’s about creating safe spaces where youth don’t just resist drugs—they rediscover purpose, supported by trained professionals and peers.”
