Ganderbal : To spread awareness against the drug abuse, the Department of Students Welfare (DSW) and Health Centre, Central University of Kashmir (CUK) in collaboration with Chief Medical Officer, Ganderbal and with the support of IMHANS-K, Radio Chinar, 90.4 FM, and Guide the Professionals (GTP) organised an anti-drug awareness programme under the banner NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) at varsity’s Green Campus here on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued from Public Relations Office, Central University of Kashmir, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Shah, Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, Finance Officer and Dean DSW, Dr Mehrajud Din Shah, DSP, Ganderbal, Ghulam Hassan, Dy CMO, Ganderbal, Dr. Nighat Yasmeen, Consultant IMHANS, Dr. Sajid Muhammad Wani, Dr. Omer Jan from DH Ganderbal, Principal, Dar Ul Uloom Ganderbal, Mufti Aamir Suhail, Clinical Psychologist, Afshana, Nodal Officer, DH Ganderbal, Dr. Suhail, CEO, GTP, Saba Bhat, faculty members, senior functionaries and students of the varsity were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Shah, said the rampant drug abuse, especially among the youngsters, is a matter of grave concern and needs immediate attention from the senior government functionaries, law enforcement agencies, educationists, and the citizenry. “The drug addiction has a detrimental impact not only on the health of individuals, but also on the social fabric,” he said adding the need of the hour is to take drastic and immediate measures to curb the spread of drug addiction in the Valley.
Addressing the gathering, Registrar, Prof. M AfzalZargar, said that those involved in the drug addiction need hand holding from all doctors, counsellors and their respective families. “Those involved in the drug abuse should not be stigmatised. They need care and support from the society and their families to come out of the menace,” Prof. Zargar said. He asked the participants to create awareness about the ill effects of drug abuse, especially among the youth so that Kashmir could become drug free.
In the event, DSP Ganderbal, Mr. Ghulam Hassan highlighted how victims fall prey to the drug menace and the measures taken by police to deal with it. He asked the students to provide information about drug peddlers so that stringent action could be taken against them.
The Finance Officer and Dean DSW, Dr. Mehrajud Din Shah in his address, said there has been an ever-increasing number of people seeking de-addiction treatment in Kashmir. “The menace is spreading among youth like wildfire and it has become imperative to control it before it’s too late,” he said.
Addressing the participants, Dy CMO, Ganderbal, Dr. NighatYasmeen, Consultant IMHANS, Dr. Sajid Muhammad Wani, Dr. Omer Jan from DH Ganderbal, enumerated the harmful effects of drugs and asked the youth to channelize their energy in the right directions. They also gave an elaborate view about the menace of drugs, its sources, causes, consequences, and role of every member of society to curb this menace. They said adolescents are more vulnerable to drug addiction and asserted that teachers and parents must be cautious and maintain vigil on their children’s activities.
While addressing the participants, Principal, Dar ul Uloom Ganderbal, Mufti Aamir Suhail, said the awareness programs and seminars like these were imperative to convey the message to the youth about the ill-effects of drug abuse. He further said Islam has completely prohibited any drug which intoxicates the mind and body of individuals.
The CEO, GTP, Saba Bhat that early intervention is critical in preventing the youth from becoming addicts adding that with firm determination of students and joint efforts by stakeholders, this menace can be eradicated from the society
The Department of Convergent Journalism also screened a documentary on drug addiction in Kashmir. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Shah and Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar along with other dignitaries also released posters about “Symptomatic signs and symptoms of drug addiction,” and felicitated the students of painting and slogan competition.
In a concluding para of the above referred statement, Dy DSW, Tulmulla, Dr. Asif Khan conducted the programme proceedings while as Medical Officer, Dr. Sheeba Nazir proposed the vote of thanks.
