Kathmandu, September 26:

Minister of Education and Sports Radhakrishna Mainali today said that he would take the initiative to include drug-awareness courses in school curriculum. Speaking at a function organised by Pratigya, a non-governmental organisation working towards controlling drug abuse, Mainali said he would personally see to it that drug abuse awareness materials were included in school curriculum.

Mainali made this commitment after some ex-drug addicts who are undergoing detoxification to rid their addictions at Pratigya, suggested that the minister include such courses to raise awareness among teenagers, the most likely drug abusers. Mainali also gave away certificates to ex-addicts who had completed detoxification classes at the centre. Punja Kunwar of Pratigya said the organisation was enjoying great success in its fight against drugs.