SRINAGAR: J&K Sports Council organized an awareness programme on drug abuse and illicit trafficking to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking today which is declared as International Day against such menace by the United Nations.
The programme was attended by athletes, coaches, and managers along with other staff members of the sports council.
All the attendees termed the issue of drug addiction as a major challenge for J&K as well as for the rest of the country.
They showed concern as substance abuse has severely affected human rights in every aspect.
Secretary Sports Council, Nuzhat Gul on her Twitter handle wrote: “We cannot allow the drug problem to further shadow the lives of the people. On this important day, let us commit to lifting this shadow once and for all, and giving this issue the attention and action, it deserves.”
Speaking on the side-lines, she said, it is important to know the difference between drug abuse and addiction, many teens experiment with drugs, but aren’t addicted and soon it may turn into an addiction.
She said this is where the role of family, society, and each one of us comes in handy. She also encouraged the students to seek help from parents, teachers, and elders when they face difficulties in life, “as adults can provide better life advice and guidance”.
Secretary Sports Council while presiding over the Thang-Ta Belt grading concluding function at Bakshi Stadium as chief guest praised the J&K Thang-Ta association for organizing the function and briefed more than 250 athletes about the menace of drug abuse and how it is killing the society and future generation simultaneously.
The day was observed in all chief stadiums and other sports facilities with prominent among them being the recently refurbished Sheri Kashmir Indoor Stadium Srinagar, Sheri-Kashmir Stadium Bandipora, Sports Stadium Anantnag, Kulgam Play Field, and Ganderbal Sports Filed, Sports Stadium Doda, and Mini Stadium Reasi etc.
The budding footballers of J&K Sports Council Football Academy also talked about the importance of sports in their lives and how it has helped them stay healthy and motivated them to stay aloof from all the temptations of drug consumption.
The day is being observed to disseminate the message “SAY NO TO DRUGS”, said Ashok Sing Divisional Sports Officer Jammu who also took an active part in helping observe the international day against drug abuse in all major sports stadiums of the Jammu division. He said, the day also highlights the demerits of drug abuse on precious human life. He briefed players, parents, and officials about the essence of staying away from drug abuse.
All the participants urged the citizens, especially the younger generation to act as ambassadors of the sports council and carry forward the message so that this menace may not cripple society and hamper its advance. They also emphasized further motivating and mobilizing the society in this campaign for the healthy growth of the country.
