CM Leads "Start Run, Stop Drugs" Anti-Drug Day Run in Chennai

PRESS RELEASE To mark the International Day against Drug Abuse, Hon'ble Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru C. Joseph Vijay flagged off and participated in the "Start Run, Stop Drugs" anti-narcotics run organised by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. Hon'ble Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru C. Joseph Vijay, today (26.6.2026) at Anna Memorial near Kamarajar Salai, Chennai, flagged off and participated in the "Start Run, Stop Drugs" anti-narcotics run organised by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, marking the International Day against Drug Abuse. Under the visionary leadership of the Hon'ble Chief Minister, the Government of Tamil Nadu regards sports as a powerful tool for social transformation. Channelling the energy of the youth in a constructive direction, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and bringing about positive change in society are the Government's foremost objectives. On its journey towards the noble goal of a "Drug-Free Tamil Nadu," the Government of Tamil Nadu is committed to nurturing a clean, honest and ethics-based sporting culture. 26th June is observed as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. To create awareness of the significance of this day among students, youth, sportspersons and the public, the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu organised the "Start Run, Stop Drugs" anti-narcotics run, in which the Hon'ble Chief Minister participated and signed the anti-drug awareness pledge board with the message "Start Run Stop Drugs, Sports-ah Edu Drugs-ah Vidu." The anti-narcotics pledge was subsequently administered under the leadership of the Hon'ble Chief Minister. Following this, the Hon'ble Chief Minister flagged off the "Start Run, Stop Drugs" anti-narcotics run and participated in it along with Olympic and international sportspersons, sportswomen, and SDAT athletes. The anti-narcotics run began at 6.30 A.M. at Anna Memorial on Kamarajar Salai, Chennai, and covered a distance of about 6 kilometres up to the Island Grounds. Around 15,000 people participated. Sportspersons who took part in the run and had competed in Olympic and international events included: Mohankumar (boxing), V. Bhaskaran (hockey), Thirumal Valavan (hockey), Mohammed Riyas (hockey), Raman (table tennis), Bharathkamal (table tennis), Devarajan (boxing), Naganathan Pandi (boxing), C.A. Bhavani Devi (fencing), Marun Ayyasamy (boxing), Tharavathi (boxing), award-winning sportspersons Srinivasa Rao (table tennis – Dronacharya Award), Pashna Chinnappa (squash – Arjuna Award), Anima Balthurai (basketball – Padma Shri), and Kavima (kabaddi – National Recognition Award); as well as foreign coaches Petras (boxing) and William Murtha (hockey), SDAT hostel sportspersons and sportswomen, college students, government officials and the general public. The event was attended by Hon'ble Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources Thiru N. Anand, Hon'ble Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Thiru Adhav Arjuna, Hon'ble Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Thiru P. Vengadaramanan, Hon'ble Minister for Finance, Planning and Development Thiru Sa. Mariya Wilson, Hon'ble Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services Dr. Ra. Kumar, MLAs, Chief Secretary Dr. M. Vaikumar, IAS, Director General of Police Thiru Mahesh Kumar Agarwal, IPS, Commissioner of Greater Chennai Police Dr. A. Amalraj, IPS, Secretary, Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department, Thiru Sandeep Nanduri, IAS, Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation Dr. G.S. Sameeran, IAS, Member Secretary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu Thiru Po. Deganatha Chetty, IAS, Chennai District Collector Tmt. S. Malathi Selvan, IAS, and senior police and government officials. •••••••• Issued By: - Director, Department of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9