Jammu, Apr 13: To uproot the prevalent menace of drug abuse in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, drug control and organisation has contemplated several steps to curb unethical sale, supply, distribution of intoxicating medicinal preparations. This was informed by the government in the Legislative Assembly responding to a query by MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia regarding the challenges and initiatives taken to curb the nuisance of drug abuse among the younger generation.
The government has stated that drug abuse is a major social evil and challenge for the society while the drug control organisation has taken various steps to curb it which included preventing the proliferation of any such drug molecule preparations.
It was revealed that throughout the established drug trafficking chain, the department has taken a very proactive approach by making installation of CCTV cameras and computerized billing systems in the medical sale establishments. Further various regulatory activities are being continuously carried out by this organisation to keep a strict vigil/ surveillance and monitoring which include conduction of special drives with allied departments, conduction of mass awareness programmes about ill effects of drug menace, obtaining of sale statements of intoxicating drug preparation and counter checking thereof, launching of prosecutions against offenders , adoption of helpline/ toll free number (104).
Further, the department is undertaking regular supervisory checks to monitor the flow of habit forming drug formulations which are prone to be misused and strict action as envisaged under the provisions of the drugs and cosmetics a\Act 1940 and Rules is initiated against erring, government stated.
The government has stated that ten de -addiction centers have been established in J&K UT during the last two years in districts of Ganderbal, Shopian, Reasi, Ramban, Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, Samba, Rajouri and Poonch.
The Govermmnet further informed that the patients are kept on observation through regular followup like other chronic diseases to prevent relapse, hence recovered numbers can not be provided.
In response to a query whether the govt intends to attract youth towards sports activities to keep them away from drug abuse, the government informed that the youth services and sports department proposes to incline the youth towards sports activities by organizing district and state level championships in many recognized sports disciplines through respective Sports Association across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
It was stated that this initiative aims to encourage youth participation in sports ultimately keeping them away from the menace of drugs. The department has been actively promoting sports as a career option emphasising its importance in channelizing the energy of youth in a positive direction. By providing a platform for youth athletes to showcase their talents the department hopes to identify and nurture potential; sports stars. The youth services and sports department has been instrumental in promoting sports culture and fostering a sense of communal harmony among youth athletes across the region, the government said.
