Shopian :As part of the ongoing efforts to promote a drug-free society and strengthen legal awareness among the youth, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Shopian Thursday organized a comprehensive awareness programme on the ill effects of drug abuse and the menace of illicit drug trafficking at Shah-i-Hamdan Memorial Institute, Batapora, Shopian.
The programme aimed to educate students and the wider community about the harmful consequences of substance abuse, the legal implications of drug-related offences, and the importance of collective efforts in combating the growing menace of narcotics.
A large number of students actively participated in the awareness session, along with teachers and Para-Legal Volunteers.
The programme featured insightful addresses by Rafie Ahmad Ganie, Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC), Shopian, and Dawood Khan, Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC), Shopian.
Addressing the gathering, Rafie Ahmad Ganie delivered a detailed lecture on the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, highlighting the stringent legal framework and penalties prescribed for drug trafficking and related offences.
He also elaborated on the proactive role being played by the Police in Shopian in curbing the drug menace through effective enforcement, rehabilitation initiatives, and sustained community outreach programmes.
Speaking on the occasion, Dawood Khan reinforced the importance of prevention through awareness and emphasized that legal literacy is a powerful tool in safeguarding young people from falling prey to substance abuse.
The participation of teachers and Para-Legal Volunteers reflected the collaborative commitment of educational institutions and the legal services machinery towards creating an informed and responsible society free from the scourge of drugs.
