Srinagar, Feb 17: Congress youth leader Tawheed Sheikh has appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir government to take immediate and decisive action to address the rising drug abuse crisis in the Union Territory.
Sheikh in a statement said that while awareness campaigns are important, they are no longer sufficient to combat the growing problem. He called for the formulation of a comprehensive and well-structured policy to tackle drug abuse effectively.
The Congress leader underlined the importance of mental health support and rehabilitation for individuals struggling with addiction. He said counselling alone is not enough and that there must be meaningful engagement programmes designed to help recovering addicts reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives.
“Counseling alone isn’t enough. To ensure lasting recovery, we must engage individuals in meaningful activities, helping them rebuild their lives and become productive members of society,” he said.
As part of a modern solution to these crises, Sheikh advocated for the use of technology-driven solutions, such as AI-based monitoring systems to track drug-related trends and distribution networks. He proposed the development of mobile apps that would allow citizens to report drug-related activities anonymously, thereby increasing community participation in the fight against drug abuse.
The Congress leader questioned the origins of illicit drugs and how they are being distributed on such a large scale. He urged law enforcement agencies to investigate not just the users but also the sources and supply chains.
Sheikh urged the government to shift its focus from punitive measures to rehabilitation and treatment programmes for drug addicts to ensure their long-term recovery.
He also recommended implementing sports and adventure therapy programmes to engage the youth and provide healthier alternatives to drugs. “The government, law enforcement agencies, civil society and the general public must join hands and work together in the fight against drug abuse in the region,” he said.
