EAGLE 1972 Signals Stronger Public Participation in Drug Control at Yogandhra

The state-level Yogandhra celebrations marking International Yoga Day provided a major platform for the unveiling of the ‘Eagle 1972’ campaign, an initiative of EAGLE (Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement) , Andhra Pradesh's dedicated anti-drug agency. The campaign aims to strengthen public participation in the fight against narcotics and raise awareness about substance abuse through community engagement and citizen reporting.

Held at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in Vijayawada , the large-scale event drew thousands of yoga practitioners, students, youth and citizens. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu formally unveiled the Eagle 1972 posters in the presence of renowned yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh .

Following the yoga programme, the Chief Minister flagged off the ‘Vyasanamukta Bharat Abhiyan’ awareness vehicle launched by the Brahma Kumaris , reinforcing the message of a healthy and addiction-free society. The campaign aligns with broader efforts to address substance abuse through awareness, prevention and community participation.

On the sidelines of the event, EAGLE Andhra Pradesh IGP A.K. Ravi Krishna briefed the Chief Minister on the organisation's ongoing initiatives. Appreciating its work, Chandrababu Naidu lauded the team's commitment to public welfare and encouraged it to expand its outreach activities across the state.

The Eagle 1972 campaign derives its name from the agency's toll-free helpline 1972 , through which citizens can report information related to drug trafficking, narcotics peddling and substance abuse. Authorities have urged parents, students and community members to use the helpline and actively contribute to the state's anti-drug movement.

Prior to launching Eagle 1972, the agency spearheaded several awareness programmes, including the widely recognised ‘No Drugs Bro’ campaign, anti-narcotics drives in schools and colleges, community outreach initiatives and special enforcement operations targeting drug networks. These efforts form part of the government's broader vision of building a drug-free Andhra Pradesh through a combination of enforcement, education and public participation.

The unveiling of the posters at one of the state's largest public gatherings is expected to boost awareness about the campaign and further strengthen citizen involvement in combating the drug menace.

Among those present were NTR District Collector Dr G. Lakshmisha , Vijayawada Police Commissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu , legislators, senior government officials and public representatives.

This version establishes what EAGLE is in the very first paragraph , making the story much clearer and more newsworthy for readers unfamiliar with the organisation.