G’bal: Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, in collaboration with National Service Scheme (NSS) unit of the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) and New Dreamland Educational Institute jointly organised an awareness programme in the school premises to observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking here on Monday.
Expressing serious concern over the increasing drug abuse cases, the university Finance Officer, Prof. Fayaz Ahmad Nikka, spoke about the growing menace of narcotics, alcohol and their ill-effects on human health especially on the society in general and youth in particular. “The main objective of holding the awareness programme is to sensitise and aware the youth about the hazardous impacts of drug abuse on the society and to create a world without it,” Prof Nikka said while addressing the event which was also attended by the School Chairman, Bashir Ahmad Shah, Principal, Showkat Ahmad Shah and Vice Principal, Peer Ghulam Mohi ud Din. He urged the participants to involve themselves in sports and other physical activities to channelize their energy in a positive direction. Prof. Nikka asked the people in general and intelligentsia in particular to support the mass movement against drug abuse. He urged the teachers of schools and other educational institutions to keep a strict vigil on the activities of children in their institutions as the drug peddlers specifically target these institutions.
Addressing the participants, Dean School of Life Science, Prof. Mohammad Yousuf, said the drug abuse continues to be a major problem in the world and is adversely affecting the health of people, especially the youngsters. He said the focus of such awareness programmes is to fight off misinformation by sharing facts and providing methods of treatment, prevention and care for those involved in drug abuse.
Speaking on the occasion, Head Deptt of Botany and programme Convenor, Prof. Azra Kamili said the International Day against Drug abuse and Illicit trafficking aims to instill a sense of responsibility among people, particularly youngsters and teenagers, to fight this growing menace. She said the focus of our efforts should be directed at strengthening the evidence base and raising public awareness so that decisions could be taken to counter and tackle drug abuse across the world.
During her lecture on Drug Abuse and Addiction, Homeopathic Consultant and Psychological Counsellor, Dr. Naira Ahad Wani, said “There is a dire need to make the campaign against drug abuse a people’s movement. Only then this demon can be defeated and the younger generation saved from this vice.”
Asst Prof. Deptt of Botany, Sofi Javed Hussain, in his presentation discussed various types of narcotics and drugs and their adverse impact on the health of individuals. He stressed the need to hold regular drives to curb the drug menace amongst the youth.
NSS Coordinator, Dr. S Arokia Mary, who conducted the programme proceedings, asked the youth and other participants present in the event to act as ambassador against the Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in their respective localities. Asst Prof. Deptt of Botany, Dr. Shaiesta Shah proposed the vote of thanks.
