PATNA, Oct. 27 -- Chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday launched a month-long de-addiction drive with focus on curbing the prevalence of narcotics even as the state continues its decade-old experiment with total prohibition.

The awareness campaign, which will continue till November 26, was formally launched here at a function organised by the excise and prohibition department. A WhatsApp chatbot and helpline for de-addiction have also been operationalised, while a fleet of campaign vehicles has been flagged off to visit different areas of the state to sensitise the messages against addiction through audio-visual aids.

Speaking on the occasion, Choudhary categorically stated the liquor prohibition would not serve the purpose alone, ...