Srinagar: Drug abuse is a global problem tearing apart social fabrics and posing a threat to mankind, and the government here is making dedicated efforts through prevention and rehabilitation strategies to eradicate drug menace from Jammu & Kashmir, the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said Friday while addressing through virtual mode the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ awards ceremony held at SKICC Srinagar.
The award ceremony aimed at acknowledging the contributions of district administrations, NGOs, and volunteers in eradicating the menace of drugs, where Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr Virendra Kumar conferred Nasha Mukht Bharat Abhiyan awards under different categories, an official press release informed.
In his address, the LG extended gratitude to Union Minister Dr Virendra Kumar for his cooperation and support to the mass movement against drug abuse in 10 districts of J&K, the press release said.
Drug abuse has emerged as one of the most serious social problems across the globe tearing apart our social fabric and posing a threat to mankind, the LG observed.
He said the UT government is making dedicated efforts through its action plans, innovative prevention & rehabilitation strategies, besides creating supportive infrastructure, and continuous awareness dissemination to eradicate drug menace from Jammu & Kashmir.
“The active participation of 3 lakh youth, 2.7 lakh women and more than 500 educational institutions have strengthened the government’s efforts to combat drug abuse in J&K,” he added.
“Malicious attempts are being made to push J&K’s youth into the menace of drugs keeping them away from the mainstream. Let us all reaffirm our resolve and take a firm stance against drug abuse to give a befitting reply to narco-terrorism and bring back the misguided youth into mainstream arena,” asserted the LG.
Addressing the youth, the LG advised them to move ahead, participate in the development process and be role models for others.
“I have full faith in the potential of the youth of J&K. We are committed to connect the present and future generations with the hopes and aspirations of their progress and build a society in which the youth is the key driver of the development and prosperity of J&K,” the LG said.
“Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has paved the way for combating drug abuse through the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction in 2018 which is having a greater impact in rooting out the evil of drugs from the society,” the LG observed.
He also underlined the importance of implementing multi-pronged strategies like effective prevention strategies based on the community level and having an awaked social setting. “Now is the time for more synergized and comprehensive efforts to fight drug menace,” he said.
Along with this, the youth clubs that have been set up in all the panchayats and wards of urban local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir will act as a catalyst in this direction, he added.
The LG expressed happiness over the awareness programs that are being run in Rajouri, Kishtwar, Budgam districts by connecting Gram Sabha and Anganwari workers to this campaign.
The LG asked the DCs to identify fake de-addiction centers being run in both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions and take action against such centers within the ambit of law.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister Dr Virendra Kumar commended the administration of 10 districts of J&K for performing well under this campaign and tackling the social evil of drug menace to a larger extent, the press release said.
“This award ceremony showcases the great work of people whose tireless efforts have reduced this problem across the country,” the minister said.
He highlighted the important role of public representatives, PRIs, local population and NGOs in making the society drug-free.
On the occasion, the minister also announced that a special camp for specially-abled people at Jammu and Srinagar will be held soon for the distribution of various aids to them.
Meanwhile, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Radhika Chakarvarthy gave a brief background of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan across the country.
A rehabilitated substance user also spoke on the occasion and narrated the ill-effects of drug abuse faced by him and his family. Awards were also conferred to Rehabilitated Youth Substance Users.
Under the category of best Deputy Commissioners, DC Anantnag, Dr Piyush Singla; DC, Budgam Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza, and DC Rajouri, Rajesh Shavan bagged 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize respectively.
Similarly, under the category of NGOs, Cultural Educational and Environmental Organization, Budgam, bagged first prize while Ali Sports Academy, Bandipora and Human Welfare Voluntary Organization, Pulwama bagged 2nd and 3rd place respectively.
Likewise, Government Degree College Anantnag bagged the first prize in best college category and Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School, Kulgam in the best school category, the press release informed.
A booklet on the last 15 months achievements of Jammu and Kashmir under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan was also released on the occasion.
Farooq Khan, Advisor to LG; Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Sheetal Nanda, Administrative Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department; Deputy Commissioners; District officers; Anganwari workers and other officials were present on the occasion.
