Thousands of athletes participated in a half marathon organised by the police in Shimla on Sunday with an aim to spread awareness against drug abuse.
Satwant Atwal, Organizer of Run and Dig Himachal Pradesh Police said that the run would act as a force multiplier, as message would spread with the number of people participating in the event.
"We do think that if atleast the children who were here on the ridge with us have got the message. They will go and it will be a force multiplier they will be talking to their friends and families and it will go a long way in spreading our message," said Atwal.
She said a series of programmes have been running all over the state since June 26, observed as the International Drug Awareness Day.
Over 1500 participants of all age group from six years to 60 years have participated in the marathon.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) had directed the authorities to hold the marathon under the theme of 'think health not drugs'.
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There were two competitive categories one was half marathon of 21.5 kilometers and the other one was mini marathon of 10 kilometres. One was also an open run of three kilometres.
Ramesh Kumar, a participant said that they want to give a message to the youngsters that they should keep themselves healthy and energetic and say no to drugs.
"Our message to the youngsters is just that instead of consuming drugs that should think of keeping their body healthy and maintaining energy so that they can participate in such competitions," said Kumar.
This is an annual feature of Himachal Pradesh, which was started two years back by state police to make people aware about anti drug.
The trading of narcotic drugs is regarded as the third largest business in the world, with a turnover of 500 billion with 190 million people around the globe believed to be consumers of drugs.