Youth Sensitization Workshop on Alcohol-Related Harms, Responsible Drinking and Road Safety in Kaushambi

A youth Awareness Workshop on the Harmful Effects of Alcohol Consumption and Road Safety was organised on 16 October 2026 at Chandra Shekhar Singh College of Pharmacy, Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, in association with Consumer VOICE, New Delhi and support from Consumer Guild.

The workshop aimed to sensitise students to the adverse physical, mental, psychological, social and economic consequences of harmful alcohol consumption, with special emphasis on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol. The programme featured expert sessions by Prof. (Dr.) S. N. Singh, Former Director, Ayurveda Services, Uttar Pradesh; Advocate Abhishek Srivastava, Chairman, Consumer Guild, Lucknow; Dr. Malavika Rao, Psychologist and Psychiatric Counselling Specialist; and the Circle Officer (Traffic), Kaushambi and Traffic Inspector and other officials.

The sessions highlighted the impact of alcohol on judgement, concentration, coordination and reaction time, as well as its potential contribution to road crashes, serious injuries and fatalities. Participants were informed about the legal consequences of drunken driving under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and encouraged to adopt safe practices, including never driving after consuming alcohol, wearing helmets and seat belts, and preventing impaired friends from driving.

An interactive question-and-answer session and pre- and post-workshop awareness surveys were also conducted to encourage student engagement and assess changes in knowledge. The workshop reinforced the importance of informed decision-making, healthy lifestyles, responsible peer behaviour and strict adherence to road safety rules.

The programme concluded with a collective call for sustained youth awareness initiatives to prevent alcohol-related harm, reduce avoidable road crashes and promote a healthier and safer society.