Srinagar, Dec 26: National Conference senior leader and MLA Habbakadal Adv Shameema Firdous on Thursday called for an all-out war against the burgeoning menace of substance abuse in Jammu and Kashmir.
She said this at an awareness program on drug abuse held at Government Dental College Srinagar. The event highlighted the need for collective efforts to combat drug abuse and safeguard society, the NC said in a statement issued here.
In her address, Firdous said, “Drug abuse in J&K is becoming a rampant phenomenon. It should be a point of concern for all of us. The first step towards stopping such incidents starts with contemplation by all of us. The menace is an awful manifestation of widespread unemployment prevailing across J&K. It is time for the Government to change the discourse around the drug addiction issue and start to view it as a disease rather than a law-and-order issue.”
MLA Shameema said that for years now, Kashmir has been witnessing a new epidemic—drug addiction. “The figures emanating from various Government agencies call for an all-out war in curbing the rise of substance abuse. The survey carried out by various agencies reveals the severity of the problem. Merely working on reigning in the narcotics mafia will not help win the war,” she said.
The senior NC leader urged the parents, teachers, Islamic scholars, civil society organisations and NGOs to actively contribute to addressing this issue. She highlighted the importance of parental vigilance, stating that youth are the nation’s future and must be protected.
Officers from the police and various departments participated in discussions, focusing on awareness, education, and collaborative strategies to eliminate drug abuse.
