Jammu- Terming drug menace as a formidable threat to the socio-economic structure, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Thursday that it has become essential for the entire society to come together to uproot this menace and work as a strong unit to make Jammu and Kashmir healthy and drug free.
“It is a collective responsibility of the society to join this fight against drug menace” Sinha said, while launching a campaign for Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir at an event organized at the convention centre here, an official spokesperson said.
The LG, he said, asserted that the administration has adopted a zero tolerance policy against drug dealers and drug traffickers.
Launching a new campaign for ‘drug-free city and drug-free village’, the LG, as per the spokesperson called upon the representatives from PRIs & Urban Local Bodies to work with the administration and ensure villages and wards are made drug-free with determined efforts and proactive approach.
“Drug menace has emerged as a formidable threat to our socio-economic structure, and it is essential that the entire society must come together to uproot this menace and work as a strong unit to make J&K healthy and drug free,” Sinha said.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the mass movement against drug addiction has been intensified. J&K Government along with the police, army and other security agencies is working with resolute determination to thwart the neighboring country’s malafide intentions,” he added.
The LG, according to the spokesperson noted that public participation is significant to make J&K fear-free, corruption-free, drug-free and job-oriented, and said that there is need to involve community leaders, doctors, media persons, representatives of voluntary organizations and Panchayati Raj Institutions in the campaign against drug abuse, using popular mass media tools for awareness and evaluating the impact of the campaign to accelerate efforts against drug menace.
“Successful models must be replicated for self-motivated campaigns by the community. I urge the Sarpanch of each village and the ward members of ULBs to run a campaign to make their village, their locality drug-free,” the LG said.
The spokesperson said that the LG directed the Social Welfare Department to make drug de-addiction centres for girls and Juvenile centres functional at the earliest.
Sinha, he said, also passed a direction to set up more Integrated Rehabilitation Centers and ensure their effectiveness.
He further said that the LG recounted the administrative reforms introduced by the UT Government and efforts made in the last two years, to bring the youth of J&K out of the darkness of drug addiction.
“J&K has been ranked second in the country for the outstanding performance in the anti-drug campaign and was honored by the Home Minister. The ranking and award is a tribute to each and every stakeholder who is dedicatedly working to make J&K drug-free,” Sinha said.
“In the last two years, we have been running a Jan Andolan to make the drug free campaign successful in 10 majorly affected districts of Jammu and Kashmir, and I believe, our ranking is also the result of this spirit of public participation. However, much more is required to be done in this direction to eradicate the drug menace from society,” he added.
According to the spokesperson, the LG said that the Police and Anti-Narcotics Task Force have been campaigning against drug trafficking by adopting a zero tolerance policy and we have to strengthen our resolve to destroy the entire network of drug dealers and drug traffickers.
“The seizures of large quantity of drugs in the last few months indicate that our strategy is proving effective,” Sinha said, adding “PRIs and ULBs members together with the parents must ensure that no youth in their village and locality fall prey to drug menace, besides bringing back the misguided youth to the mainstream by ensuring that the drug addicts get immediate administrative and medical help for recovery,”
The LG, as per the spokesperson said that he was sure that the campaign of drug-free village, drug-free city and drug-free town will prove to be helpful in making Jammu and Kashmir free from drugs.
“With the support of voluntary organization ‘Mashwara’, a dedicated focus is being given in treatment and rehabilitation of the victims of drug abuse in Jammu Division,” the LG said.
The spokesperson said that the LG asked all the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that sports camps are also organized to channelize the young energies through sports activities.
On the occasion, he said, the LG flagged off a Swasth Rath and a Police bike rally for spreading awareness among people against the harmful and fatal effects of the menace of drug abuse.
A pledge against Drug Abuse was also administered, besides a short Skit on Drug Abuse by the students of GGM Science College was also presented.
Helpline For Counseling Of Victims Launched
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday launched a toll free helpline number to provide counseling to the victims of drug abuse.
Titled ‘Sakoon’ the toll free helpline (number 18001807202), a mental health helpline to value life and for counseling victims was launched by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, during a day-long awareness programme against drug addiction here on Thursday, an official spokesperson said.
The programme was held at Tagore Hall by Shahr e Khas Literary and Cultural Welfare Society in collaboration with divisional administration, Kashmir, J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, and J&K Excise Department.
Speaking on the occasion, Pole, as per the spokesperson said that India has the 2nd largest population in the world with the majority of population consisting of youth.
The Div Com, he said, underlined the requirements of reaping the dividends of the young population and called for saving and protecting youth from falling into drug abuse.
“He said many anti-social and anti-national elements are ruining the lives of youth by pushing them in the menace and vowed that strict action shall be taken against drug peddlers, dealers and exhorted on breaking their nexus,” he added.
Pole, as per the spokesperson emphasised that the end user of drugs is a victim, not criminal and the society needs to be empathetic towards him.
While sensitizing the media, he said, the Div Com asked for using the word ‘victim’ for those who consume drugs.
He also called on the Media to address those innocent who need sympathy, counseling instead of hate to ensure they get back to normal life.
Speaking on the occasion, the spokesperson said that MD, NHM highlighted the symptoms and consequences of drug abuse and warned that a pandemic of liver failure will be seen in coming years due to consumption of drugs.
“He said one of the main reasons for sudden heart attacks among youth is drug use ,” he added.
Earlier, President Tariq Ahmad Shera of Shahr e Khas Literary & Cultural Welfare Society, while welcoming the chief guest and other officers, detailed the awareness campaigns and programmes organised by them regarding the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
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