SRINAGAR: Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Kashmir (IMHANS-K), Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College Srinagar, held a series of awareness programs and educational events across Kashmir today to raise awareness about drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The initiatives were part of the global campaign tied to this year’s theme, ‘Break the Cycle. Stop Organized Crime.’
The main event was held at IMHANS-K in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board included a workshop for Imams and Khateebs, with around 30 participants, focusing on the role of religious leaders in preventing drug abuse.
Dr. Yasir Hassan Rather, Professor and In-charge Head of De-addiction Services at IMHANS-K expressed concern over the alarming rise in substance use in the region. “There is an urgent need for collective and community-based interventions. Religious leaders can be proactive agents of change in curbing this crisis,” he said.
Dr. Arshad Hussain, Professor and Head of Unit at IMHANS-K, talked about the preventive strength of faith in his keynote address.
He said faith can play a strong role in preventing drug use, adding that faith-based interventions can keep our children away from substances and serve as a formidable preventive strategy. He urged Imaams and Khateebs to utilize their pulpits, particularly Friday sermons, to disseminate messages of a drug-free lifestyle.
Dr. Fazle Roub, Assistant Professor and DM in Addiction Medicine at IMHANS-K, delivered an expert talk on the pivotal role faith leaders can play in prevention, early intervention, and reducing stigma around addiction.
Saleem, a trained counselor, also presented a session on current trends in substance use and community-based strategies for intervention.
Moreover, IMHANS-K also extended its outreach through multiple parallel events across the valley.
In another major outreach initiative, Dr. Heena Afzal and Dr. Syed Mehvish Yaver from IMHANS-K collaborated with Srinagar Police to conduct an interactive workshop at Broadway Education Hub. The session targeted students from 9th to 12th grades, as well as UPSC aspirants, and focused on early awareness and the importance of prevention.
In another such session, Dr. Sajid Mohammad, Assistant Professor, represented the institute at a program organized by the AMT School at Government Medical College Srinagar, where he discussed the current drug addiction landscape in Kashmir.
Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Suhaff and Dr. Ubaidullah, both Assistant Professors, participated in awareness programs at B.Ed College, Srinagar and the Central University of Kashmir, respectively; delivering joint lectures on youth engagement and prevention strategies.
At Islamia College, Srinagar, Dr. Marya Zahoor, Senior Resident at IMHANS-K, addressed students under the college’s NSS Wing. She spoke about the psychological and societal toll of substance abuse.
Organisers said that the day-long events aimed not just at awareness but also at catalyzing a coordinated response involving faith-based institutions, academic bodies, and the public to collectively tackle the region’s growing drug problem.
