Srinagar, 26 Dec: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Senior leader and MLA Habbakadal Adv. Shameema Firdous called for an all-out war against the burgeoning menace of substance abuse in Jammu and Kashmir.
This she said at an awareness program on drug abuse held at Government Dental College Srinagar. The event highlighted the need for collective efforts to combat drug abuse and safeguard society.
In her address, she said, “Drug abuse in J&K is becoming a rampant phenomenon. It should be a point of concern for all of us. The first step towards stopping such incidents starts with contemplation by all of us. It goes without saying that the menace is an awful manifestation of widespread unemployment prevailing across J&K. It is time for the Government to change the discourse around the drug addiction issue and start to view it as a disease rather than a law-and-order issue.”
Shameema stated that for years now, Kashmir is witnessing a new epidemic—drug addiction. “The figures emanating from various Government agencies call for an all-out war in curbing the rise of substance abuse. The survey carried by various agencies reveals the severity of the problem. Merely working on reigning in the narcotics mafia will not help win the war,” she said.
She urged the parents, teachers, Islamic scholars, civil society organizations, and NGOs to actively contribute to addressing this issue. Shamima Firdous emphasized the importance of parental vigilance, stating that youth are the nation’s future and must be protected.
Officers from the police and various departments participated in discussions, focusing on awareness, education, and collaborative strategies to eliminate drug abuse.