Joins Drug-Free J&K Campaign Padyatra in Baramulla
Calls for treating addicts with dignity, not shame
Urges weekly family dialogues in schools, mosques, temples
Srinagar, May 12: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday announced two new initiatives under the Drug-Free Jammu Kashmir campaign during a Padyatra in Baramulla: the Community Immunisation Programme against drugs and the Family Fortress Initiative.
Under the Community Immunisation Program, the administration will partner with religious leaders and social groups to create awareness against drugs in 5 to 10 high-risk hotspot areas per district. “Just as we have taught communities to vaccinate against bacteria or viruses, we will create a Community Immunisation initiative against drugs,” the LG said as he joined the Drug-Free Jammu Kashmir campaign in Baramulla, engaging with citizens and participating in a Padyatra.
“I urge schools, mosques, temples, gurdwaras, and NGOs to dedicate one hour weekly to strengthen this initiative through awareness. It will deliver real results, acting like an early warning system, monitoring hotspots while building them into fully drug-free zones,” he said.
The second pillar, the Family Fortress Initiative, will rely on strong family and community bonds as the ultimate shield against drug addiction. “Over the next 69 days, every school, college, and place of worship in Jammu and Kashmir should host a weekly family dialogue on drugs. These dialogues should be open and honest, paired with local campaign audits to spot and fix gaps,” Sinha said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that in the past 31 days, over 2,35,000 awareness and outreach events have been held across Jammu and Kashmir. More than 44,000 OPD patients have been treated, nearly 700 drug smugglers and peddlers arrested, and stringent action taken against the drug supply chain.
“Action has targeted every financial transaction of drug cartels, seizing crores in properties built from drug money by major smugglers. Across Jammu and Kashmir divisions, 300 driving licenses and over 400 vehicle registrations linked to drug smugglers have been recommended for cancellation. Enforcement agencies have ensured massive drug hauls. We have inspected more than 3,300 drug stores, and 150 licenses have been suspended for violating norms. Nearly 3,000 CCTV cameras are now installed at drug stores across the Union Territory. Over two dozen smugglers have been nabbed under the PIT-NDPS Act. I assure the people that we will chase every rupee, every asset, and shell company of drug traffickers, ensuring the harshest punishment for those who are destroying our youth’s future,” he said.
Sinha said that fuelled by public support, this people’s movement is setting historic records, with nearly 3,000 calls received for tele-MANAS counselling and support in the past 31 days. “I want our response to drugs to be rooted in science. We don’t shame diabetes patients into health or cure cancer victims through stigma. Likewise, we must treat and rehabilitate addicts with dignity, reconnecting them to society’s mainstream through resolve and compassion. Government officials and citizens must unite for surveillance, rally against drugs, and foster drug-free villages and towns,” he said.