International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed on June 26 every year. The purpose of observing World Day against drug abuse is to spread awareness about drug menace which is prevalent in every society all around the globe. This year the theme of the day is ‘People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention.” This day also aims to intensify action and cooperation against drug addiction in order to attain the objective of an international society free of drug abuse. Unfortunately, in the recent years Kashmiri youth, both young boys and girls, have been addicted to drug abuse and other social evils. This is a very grave concern and needs immediate action from the concerned authorities. Many health experts believe that the problem of drugs of abuse will continue without much abate if some drastic and concrete steps are not taken. The valley is witnessing a never before rise in the number and intensity of drug abuse. The magnitude of the problem can be gauged from the spiraling crime graphs. It has been proven that there is a strong link between drug addiction and crime. Thefts, burglaries, crimes against women, suicides, road rage and many more heinous crimes have their motive or compulsion rooted in the drug induced misjudgments. Social maladjustments are wreaking havoc within the society. Needless to say, the time has come to address the issue on a war footing. The organizing of seminars and taking out rallies on June 26^th, the International Day against Drug Abuse will not do much good. And similarly, no fruit will be borne by the countless articles and news items reporting the many facets of the drugs, their trade and the fate of those who succumb their life and peace of their families to these killers. The need of the hour is that a policy be framed keeping in view the points that make the drugs available. Local cultivation needs to be stalled; completely and not customary. Trafficking needs to checked, and the role of corruption that makes the leaks in the police seal possible be probed and dealt with strongly. Law needs to tighten its clutches around those who are caught peddling drugs and trafficking this destruction. But first and foremost, the de-addiction centers run by various governmental and non-governmental agencies be strengthened in capacity and facility. Things need to change. And integrated efforts of society, administration and police may help J&K steer up this whirlpool. Medical experts and health professionals must educate the general public by launching massive awareness programmes about the harmful effects of drug abuse. It is the moral obligation of all the concerned especially our civil societies and intellectual class to lead the society towards betterment and common welfare.