The menace of drug abuse is a serious threat which if left unchecked will consume the future of the youth, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference senior leader and former Speaker Mubarak Gul said on Monday.
“The issue of drug addiction and substance abuse has to be addressed with all seriousness jointly by various stakeholders that include the government as well. But the greater responsibility lies on the shoulders of schools, parents and community leaders. The need of the hour calls for inclusive policy against the menace focusing mainly on three components: policing, de-addiction, and prevention,” Gul said while addressing the people and delegates on the Annual Madre Maharban felicitation function organized by J&K rural development society (JKRDS).
Gul said that the situation should be immediately tackled with a brawny response before it morphs into a much dire situation. “It would be better if the state government comes up with an inclusive policy against the menace of drug addiction and narcotics smuggling. The policy framework should include the inputs of health, police and education departments. Various civil society groups should also be taken on board before evolving such a state-level strategy against the menace,” he said.
Gul who presided over the function said the present tumultuous situation in the state, in particular, the valley has disenchanted the youth to extreme levels. “With nowhere to turn to the beleaguered youth of the state, in particular, the valley are taking to drugs. Every single window of opportunity has been closed to our youth. What good was achieved by the former Omar Abdullah led government was put into a chasm by the successive governments since 2015. The need of the hour calls for joint efforts on a societal level to deal with the menace,” he said.
National Conference senior leader, additional general secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal was the chief guest on the occasion while former minister Shri Ram Paul Ji was the guest of honour. NC’s provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani was also present on the occasion.
While addressing the function party’s additional general secretary said, “It is alarming to hear about the alarming increase in cases of drug overdose-related deaths in Kashmir. The state government should rise up to the occasion before the trend morphs itself into a dire epidemic. The need of the hour calls for effective policing against narcotics smuggling, besides having more drug de-addiction centres in the state. The challenge has to be confronted at multiple levels, and of them all basic awareness at school, college and university level is a must. The parents and civil society also must put in their efforts to curb the menace. The menace has to be tackled at a societal level.”