‘Silent No More’: Anti-drug drive for those battling addiction held across Hyderabad

Hyderabad: In a public awareness drive, employees of Tempest Advertising took to the streets of Begumpet, Paradise, Jubilee Hills Checkpost, Rasoolpura and Ameerpet on Wednesday, holding placards and banners as part of their campaign titled ‘Silent No More’.

The initiative, launched on the International Day Against Drug Abuse, is aimed at encouraging individuals battling drug addiction to speak up and seek help.

The campaign was also carried out in Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru with teams stepping out into public spaces across the four cities. Placards bore messages like ‘Every Scar Has a Story’ and ‘You Don’t Need Dope to Be Happy’, drawing attention from commuters and passersby.

Public messaging with a purpose

“We wanted to move the conversation away from shame and secrecy. ‘Silent No More’ is not about blame. It’s about empathy. It’s about encouraging people to take that one step toward help,” said Shiva Prasad, head of Brand Strategy at Tempest.

Each banner included a QR code linking to Living Sober Rehab, a counselling organisation that offers support for those seeking to recover from substance abuse. The aim was to offer not just awareness, but a clear, actionable pathway to help.

‘We Want to Speak to People, Not About Them’

“Most campaigns speak about addiction. We wanted to speak to people. Even if one person scans that QR code and gets help, it’s worth it,” said Anjali Deshmukh from the Pune team. In each location, the campaign was designed to feel personal and immediate. Rather than large-scale installations, the effort focused on human connection in busy, everyday environments.

Bringing hidden stories into light

“Too often, stories of addiction are either criminalised or ignored. We want to change that by putting compassion front and center,” said Rakesh Mallick, who coordinated the campaign in Mumbai.

The team hopes that by opening up space for dialogue, more people will feel less alone in their struggles and more inclined to reach out for support.

Real conversations on real streets

“In advertising, we often talk about impact. This was one of the few times we felt it directly. People didn’t just look at us—they looked at the message,” said Meghna Reddy from the Hyderabad team.

Throughout the day, several people paused to read the signs or speak with the volunteers. Many took photos or scanned the QR code quietly before walking away.

‘The first step is to speak’

The campaign title—Silent No More—reflects its core belief: that healing begins when silence ends. The team behind it hopes to spark more conversations in homes, schools, workplaces and on the streets.

As one of the placards read: “The first step is not rehab. The first step is to speak.”

With direct engagement and resources made accessible on the ground, Tempest Advertising’s campaign is a step toward building a more open, supportive conversation around addiction