Tirupati Balaji Lions Club reaches young people through drug-abuse prevention and HPV awareness initiatives.
Two public-health initiatives by Tirupati Balaji Lions Club, District 316J, placed awareness and prevention at the centre of its service to young people.
Drug Awareness March
A Drug Awareness March brought together 2,500 school students to speak out against substance abuse. Their participation carried a clear message through the community: preventing drug abuse begins with helping young people understand its dangers and make informed choices.
The march also encouraged schools, families and the wider community to recognize their shared role in creating a safer environment for children and adolescents. The program was organized under the leadership of Club President Guna Shekar Reddy.
HPV Vaccination Awareness
The club subsequently turned its attention to another important aspect of adolescent health.
Cervical cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in India, with an estimated 79,360 new cases and 36,319 deaths in 2024. Yet it is largely preventable.
The World Health Organization states that HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14 is highly effective in preventing HPV infection, cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers.
Against this background, an HPV Vaccination Awareness Program was conducted on August 24, 2026, for 100 girls aged 10–14 from five government and private schools.
Dr. M. Swetha, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Shri Swaraa Multispeciality Hospital, Anantapur, led the session. She explained HPV prevention, the role of vaccination and other aspects of adolescent health, giving students access to reliable medical information at an important stage in their lives.
The initiative was sponsored by District Governor Dr. M. Virupaksha Reddy.
Although different in scale and subject, the two programs shared a common purpose: equipping young people with knowledge before risks arise. By taking prevention into schools and public spaces, Tirupati Balaji Lions Club helped students understand how informed choices can protect their health and well-being.
