Shopian: Chief Education Office in collaboration with District Social Welfare Office on Saturday organised a grand one-day Conference on ‘Role of Teachers in eradicating Drug Abuse’ at GDC Shopian.
The Conference was presided over by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shopian, Mohammad ShahidSaleem Dar, and was also graced by the presence of Secretary, J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull, as guest of honour.
The conference featured multifarious speeches, presentations, and artistic performances.
Addressing the gathering, DC emphasised on the capacity of teachers to provide knowhow about the illness of drug addiction while fostering a secure and encouraging milieu through cordial relationships with them.
Teachers play a special role as mentors, role models, and knowledge providers in the lives of teenagers. They have a duty to establish a secure and encouraging learning environment that promotes sound growth, said the DC.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Sports Council stressed the importance of making role models and icons through sports and other fields and channelising the energy of students in the proper direction. Sports was seen as the perfect panacea for engaging students in positive activities and keeping them away from the anti-social behaviours and activities, she remarked.
Earlier, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Shopian, Dr.ZakirHussainFaaz in his inaugural speech delved into the department wise role of stakeholders and their action plans against the menace and how drug abuse has engulfed all strata of society irrespective of any gender and economic bias.
Speakers including Irfan Ahmad and Saqib Faisal Naik focused on the vital responsibility of teachers in inculcating religious and ethical values among young minds as an initial deterrence against falling prey to Drug Abuse.
Teachers hold a paramount position in thwarting substance abuse among youth through interventions of pedagogy, publicity programs, and timely interceptive measures who can detect initial indications of narcotics consumption in their students and suggest suitable remediation services for their recovery through PEON strategy by being Proactive, Emphatic, Observing and Nurturing, said the speakers.
Dr.Aadil from Addiction Treatment Facility, District Hospital Shopian spoke at length on the clinical, behavioural and treatment aspects of the menace.
Lone Summayah, a noted National Cricket Coach, spoke on the Power of Sports to prevent Drug Abuse.
Students from Kids Kingdom, Zawoora performed the skit depicting the context and ramifications of the raging menace of Drug Addiction.
The gathering was also attended by Principal, GDC Shopian, CEO, DIO, DSWO, Dy.SP, DYSSO, other officers and officials along with an appreciable gathering of teachers of the district.
