Around 800 boys and girls took part in the 4.8 km mini marathon organised in the city on Sunday morning to create awareness on substance abuse.
Youngstro Marathon was organised by Don Bosco Anbu Illam as part of its silver jubilee celebrations, on the theme “Ilaignane Vizhithidu, Bothayai Ozhithidu”.
Director of Don Bosco Anbu Illam Fr. Ryan David said that over the last 25 years, the home has adopted a multipronged approach to address the issue of substance abuse. It provides counselling and medical assistance for de-addiction. “We have witnessed children (school-goers too) inhale adhesives and other commonly available addictive substances,” he said.
He added that this posed a threat to their health and can lead to dropping out of school as well. But, the de-addiction treatment is expensive.
The marathon was aimed at creating awareness to prevent children from exposure to substance abuse.
The marathon was flagged off by District Revenue Officer T. Chrishthu Raj and international FIFA referee C.R. Srikrishna at Nehru Stadium. Winners of the first five places were given cash prizes. Following the marathon, students of social work department of Bharathiar University staged a skit.
