Advisor Sharma calls for joint efforts to tackle drug abuse at high level meet in Srinagar

Srinagar : Asking the officers to take effective measures to check substance abuse among youth, Advisor to Governor, K K Sharma Tuesday said the menace of drug abuse is the emerging threat in our state and country as a whole, which if left unchecked will consume the future of our youth.
The Advisor was speaking at a meeting convened to discuss the steps being taken to address the grave concern of drug menace in the society.
Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atul Dullo, IGP Crime Mukesh Singh, Medical Superintendent, Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Dr Arshad and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
“The need of the hour calls for effective implementation of drug policy against the menace focusing mainly on three components: policing, de-addiction, and prevention. The situation should be immediately tackled with a strong response before it goes out of hand,” he said and called for a coordinated effort between various stakeholders especially the law enforcement agencies.
The Advisor stressed on the two-pronged strategy to deal with the drug menace- counselling of the youngsters and result-oriented action against drug peddlers and other people associated with the menace.
Highlighting the role of community leaders and parents, Sharma said every issue has to be addressed with all seriousness jointly by various stakeholders that include the government as well. “But the greater responsibility lies on the shoulders of schools, parents and the community leaders so that the growth of the evil is nipped in the bud,” he said.
The Advisor also asked for creating awareness programmes for highlighting the health hazards of substance abuse and drug menace.
He said various government department should undertake a sustained camping which would create educate and inform the people about the ill-effects of drugs on society besides NDPS act.
The officers during the meeting informed the meeting about the various initiatives taken by the respective departments to curb the menace of drugs.
Later the Advisor met several deputations from different areas of the state who raised their issues related to respective areas.
Former legislators Ranbir Singh Pathania, Yashpal Kundal and Khem Lata Wakhloo called on the Advisor and raised issues of their respective constituencies. Ranbir Singh Pathania raised issues related to R&B sector which include several roads under the CRF which would provide much needed connectivity to different areas of Ramnagar.