Prepare comprehensive plan to root out drug abuse from Kashmir: NC to admin

Srinagar, March 03: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Friday expressed concern over rising drug addiction cases in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the entire region foresee a doomsday scenario if the problem is not nipped in the bud.
This was said by the party’s State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar while addressing a one day workers convention of the party workers in Yaripora Kulgam.
The convention was marked by threadbare discussion on various issues concerning the public and party. Prevailing political situation in Kashmir and the future course of action was also deliberated upon during the course of meeting.
District Kulgam Vice Presidents Mubarak Raina, Mohammad Younis Malik, YNC Kulgam district President Adil Guroo, Block Presidents M Ayub Pala, Ijaz Shah, party functionaries were also present.
Kashmir’s drug problem is worsening with Kulgam district unfortunately taking a big hit viz a viz the drug abuse cases, Imran Nabi Dar said adding, “The addiction/abuse among Kashmiri youth has reached catastrophic levels and if no serious effort is initiated by the government agencies we are at the risk of losing an entire new generation to drugs.”
“It is a point of concern for all of us here in Kashmir, particularly in Kulgam. The first step towards stopping such incidents starts with contemplation by all of us,” he said.
“ It goes without saying that the menace is an awful manifestation of widespread unemployment in the district. It is the time for the government to change the discourse about the drug addiction issue and start to view it as a disease rather than a law-and-order issue.”
Strife-torn Kulgam needs special attention, he said seeking a comprehensive plan to cope up with the menace. “Administration adopted a multi-pronged strategy – increasing awareness, restricting the availability of drugs, and increasing affordability and accessibility to eradicate the menace of drug abuse.”
In addition, he said the Treatment Facility (ATF) available in Kulgam for the rehabilitation of the addicts should be upgraded and augmented.