Two pieces of paper - 'alcohol' and 'drugs' written in each - were deposited in a crystal bowl by excise minister K Babu. Soon, they transformed into a skull, followed by an announcement that this would be the result of drug addiction. The onlookers were awestruck, as the magic show led by magician Gopinath Muthukad went on.

The occasion was the beginning of anti-addiction campaign 'Magic with a Mission' aimed at creating awareness among the public about drug abuse. Minister K Babu inaugurated the initiative at Ernakulam Town Hall on Wednesday.

Magician Muthukad, who has been using his talent to make the public aware of various social issues, is confident that his mission would be a success. "Magic is a good tool to communicate as there is no language barrier. Anyone can understand the message conveyed without any difficulty," he said.

"Alcohol and other drugs are the major reasons behind 90 per cent of domestic violence and suicides in our society. Many, especially youngsters, are least bothered about the ill-effects of substance abuse. The aim of this mission is to make those people aware of the hazards," Muthukad told TOI.

This anti-addiction campaign is jointly organized by Muthukad's magic academy, Kerala State Youth Welfare Board, excise department, Kochi corporation and the district administration. During the five-day campaign, that will conclude on Sunday, magic shows conveying messages on harmful effects of addiction will be showcased at Ernakulam Town Hall.

Apart from the magic shows, there will be training sessions for 1,500 students from various schools in the city on a daily basis. "After the training sessions, these students will take part in anti-addiction campaigns conducted in various parts of the district," Muthukad said. The magic academy also intends to run the campaign in all the districts.

Kochi: As the awestruck public looked on, two piece of paper deposited in a crystal bowl turned to a skull following an announcement that this is the result of drug addiction. The paper pieces, encrypted alcohol and drugs, were deposited by Minister K Babu as a part of the magic show to mark the beginning of a mission led by magician Gopinath Muthukad.

The mission aimed to create awareness among the public was inaugurated by excise minister K Babu in Ernakulam Town hall on Wednesday. Through the mission to curb substance abuse spreading in the society, magician Muthukad is in the arena with his magic that persuades minds sans borders.

Magician Muthukad who has been using his talent to make the public aware of various social issues is confident that his mission will be a success. "Magic is a good tool to communicate as there is no language barrier. Anyone can understand the message conveyed without any difficulty and this is the point that I am making use of in this mission," said the magician.

"Alcohol and other drugs are the major reasons for about 90 per cent domestic violence and suicides in our society. Many in our society, especially youngsters, are least bothered the ill effects of substance abuse. The aim of this mission is to make those people aware of about the hazards," he told TOI.

The anti-addiction campaign, Magic with a Mission, is jointly organised by Muthukad's magic academy, Kerala State Youth Welfare Board, excise department, Kochi Corporation and the district administration. During the five-day campaign that will conclude on Sunday, magic shows conveying strong messages on harmful effects of addiction will be showcased at the Ernakulam Town Hall.

Apart from the magic shows, there will be training sessions for 1500 students from various schools in the city on a daily basis. "After the training sessions, these students will carry out anti-addiction campaigns among the public in various parts of the district," Muthukad said.

The magic academy also intends to run the campaigns in all the districts in the state. The campaign that will be run in district headquarters during the first stage will be later extended to the remote villages across the state.