Sopore, Aug 19: J&K Peoples Conference Senior Vice President and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil on Saturday reacted to the startling revelation by the national newspaper Indian Express that every 12 minutes one drug addict walks into an OPD in Srinagar. He expressed serious concern over the issue and demanded immediate action by the UT administration to address the growing drug abuse rife in society.
Addressing several meetings in Sopore, Vakil, according to a statement, urged the government to plug all the routes that are used by drug peddlers and take stern action against those found involved in drug trafficking. He demanded setting up more rehabilitation and counselling centres for drug addicts.
While addressing the gatherings, the PC leader emphasised the role of religious scholars in helping to get rid of the drug menace. “Religious scholars and influencers need to step up and counsel the younger generation, and we as a society need to be at the forefront to fight this menace, or else the days are not far when J&K will become a drug haven,” he said.
Vakil said the youth of J&K are facing a life-threatening situation as they have become soft targets for exploiters with nefarious designs to ensure that peace, prosperity, and development of the state get derailed. This serious issue needs to be tackled well in time or else it will have far-reaching consequences not only for the current but also for future generations.
“We are witnessing a generation on the verge of self-destruction, and if we do not act decisively, the consequences will be catastrophic,” he added.
