Colouring Lives of Our Youth: Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life

Colouring Lives of Our Youth: Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life

In an ambitious effort to tackle the rising drug menace among Kerala’s youth, the Lions Club of Adoor Emirates (Overseas Club District 318 B, Region 14) is hosting a statewide Hackathon competition titled “Hack-A-Addict.” This event, designed to inspire innovative solutions for drug prevention and rehabilitation, will bring together college students from across Kerala to combine their creativity and technical expertise for a cause that impacts countless lives.

The Hackathon is being hosted by M.A. College of Engineering, Kothamangalam, from January 18th, 2025, at 8:00 AM to January 19th, 2025, at 5:00 PM. A 24-hour marathon of innovation and problem-solving, the event promises to deliver cuttingedge ideas to combat the drug crisis while fostering awareness and responsibility among Kerala’s brightest minds.

Kerala, often lauded for its literacy and progressive outlook, has not been immune to the alarming rise of drug abuse. From urban centers to rural areas, the infiltration of illegal substances poses a severe threat to the mental, physical, and social health of the state’s youth. With cases of addiction rising at an unprecedented rate, initiatives like “Hack-A-Addict” are critical in addressing the crisis head-on.

A Platform for Change

The “Hack-A-Addict” Hackathon provides a unique platform for students to develop apps, tools, and campaigns that address various aspects of the drug problem. From early detection and counseling tools to community engagement and education campaigns, the Hackathon aims to create solutions that are both practical and impactful.

PMJF Ln. Subramani, President of the Lions Club of Adoor Emirates, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Drug addiction is stealing the futures of our youth, but we believe technology can be a powerful tool in the fight against this epidemic. This Hackathon is a call to action for young innovators to create solutions that will make a real difference.” *Prizes and Incentives *

The Hackathon offers an impressive set of prizes:

• 1st Prize: ₹1,00,000/-

• 2nd Prize: ₹50,000/-

• 3rd Prize: ₹25,000/-

Additionally, the 1st Prize winner will receive an extra ₹50,000/- to support App development and hosting on Google Playstore, ensuring the winning idea reaches a broader audience and delivers tangible results.

Inspiring Innovation and Responsibility

PMJF Ln. Santosh Varghese, Vice President and Project Director of the Hackathon, shared his perspective: “Drug abuse is not just an individual problem—it’s a societal challenge. This Hackathon is about more than prizes; it’s about giving young people the opportunity to be part of the solution. Their creativity and technical skills can save lives and inspire change.”

Join the Mission

The Lions Club of Adoor Emirates invites students from colleges across Kerala to participate in this transformative event. With the tagline “Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life*” the Hackathon serves as both a competition and a mission to empower young people to lead the fight against addiction.

To register, visit www.antidrughackathon.com.

Together, let us harness the power of technology to “Hack-A-Addict” and build a drug-free future for Kerala.

Let’s Support Colouring the Lives of Our Youth with hope, innovation, and purpose.