Burgeoning menace of drug abuse in J&K dangerous: Farooq Abdullah
‘Government, civil society groups must congregate their efforts to curb menace’
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and member Parliament, Dr Farooq Abdullah, on Thursday said that the burgeoning menace of drug addiction in J&K is dangerous and that the fight against drug abuse should not be relinquished due to the prevailing COVID-19 crises.
According to a press release issued here, on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking party president Dr Farooq Abdullah in his message said that substance abuse and drug addiction has emerged as one of the biggest threats to our future generation. “Unfortunately Jammu and Kashmir continues to grapple with the menace of drug and substance abuse. Reports about the prevalence of drug abuse among youngsters particularly the school going children in Kashmir is alarming. If something substantial is not done to tackle it, then I am afraid we are going to lose a whole new generation to this menace,” Dr Farooq said.
He further added, “It’s time for all of us to collectively start a war at each level against the menace and save our young from the scourge. Apart from an effective and coordinated government response against drug peddlers and their protectors, civil society too has an important part to play in this fight. Our religious heads, local leaders together need to address the issue at their individual levels and help those who want to raise their voice against the menace.”
Meanwhile, party spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar while expressing concern over inaction of the government towards curbing the menace said, “Government is not doing enough to stop the illicit sale and purchase of drugs in Jammu and Kashmir, and society on its part has failed in its collective response, which is destroying our current generation by impeding their growth and development. The moth of drug addiction is devouring our youth, their dreams. J&K is falling into the grip of Drug abuse, perhaps it is a second biggest epidemic after COVID-19 in store for us,” he said.
