Admin completes 100 days of intensive outreach, enforcement, rehab
Srinagar: Marking the successful completion of the first 100 days of the ‘Drug-Free J&K Campaign’, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha this week said the campaign has laid a strong foundation for a sustained fight against drug abuse and narco-terrorism, while asserting that the mission to safeguard Jammu and Kashmir’s youth is far from over. Addressing a commemorative event organised by the Department of Social Welfare, the Lieutenant Governor described the campaign as a people’s movement that has united government agencies, law enforcement, civil society, educational institutions, religious organisations and ordinary citizens in a common resolve to build a healthier and drug-free Jammu and Kashmir. “While this milestone marks significant progress, our mission is far from complete. We are determined to neutralise the drug cartels and narco-terror networks that target our youth. We continue to strengthen our key priorities of dismantling illicit trafficking ecosystems, enhancing public awareness and providing robust rehabilitation to help affected individuals reintegrate into society,” the Lieutenant Governor said. He said the first phase of the campaign has demonstrated that coordinated action, public participation and compassionate rehabilitation can together create meaningful change, while reaffirming the administration’s commitment to intensifying efforts in the coming months.
Campaign Reaches Every Corner Of Jammu & Kashmir: Reflecting on the past 100 days, the Lieutenant Governor said he personally travelled across all 20 districts of the Union Territory through a series of padyatras, interacting with families, youth, students, social workers and community leaders. He said the extensive outreach enabled the administration to understand the concerns of parents whose children had fallen victim to addiction, while also witnessing the determination of communities eager to reclaim their future. “Standing alongside families in their darkest moments allowed me to truly grasp the depth of their anguish. Yet amid that pain, I also witnessed courage, resilience and hope. I can proudly say that such unprecedented public support for this campaign has never been seen in the history of Jammu and Kashmir,” he observed. According to the Lieutenant Governor, the padyatras carried a powerful message that society would not allow drugs to rob young people of their dreams and aspirations.
Strong Action Against Drug Networks: The campaign has also witnessed extensive enforcement measures aimed at disrupting the illegal narcotics trade and weakening financial networks associated with drug trafficking. During the first 100 days, authorities arrested 2,581 alleged drug traffickers and seized nearly 1,431 kilograms of narcotic substances, including 23.29 kilograms of heroin. In addition, assets worth more than ₹188.89 crore were confiscated as part of efforts to dismantle financial networks linked to narcotics. The administration also initiated action by revoking hundreds of driving licences and vehicle registrations, recommending suspension of passports in several cases and taking action against pharmacies found violating prescribed norms. The Lieutenant Governor said these measures send a clear message that those attempting to endanger society through narcotics will face strict legal consequences.
Rehab At The Heart Of The Campaign : While highlighting enforcement achievements, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised that rehabilitation remains the most important pillar of the campaign. He said thousands of young people undergoing treatment have already begun rebuilding their lives with the support of rehabilitation centres, counsellors and healthcare professionals. “Rehabilitation transforms lives, restores families and secures our future,” he remarked. To further strengthen this effort, the administration will soon launch the ‘Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026′, beginning with pilot implementation in one district each of Jammu and Kashmir divisions. The programme will follow a structured three-year model focusing first on medical treatment and counselling, followed by education, skill development and employment opportunities before moving to long-term community support aimed at preventing relapse. Officials believe the initiative will help recovering individuals become financially independent while restoring their confidence and dignity.ndence on traditional market intermediaries and offers opportunities for long-term commercial partnerships.This transition towards value-based agriculture aligns with broader efforts to increase farmers’ incomes while improving the competitiveness of Indian horticulture in global markets.
Community Participation The Key: Calling upon every section of society to contribute to the campaign, the Lieutenant Governor stressed that eliminating drug abuse requires collective responsibility. He urged citizens to report illegal drug activities and extend support to individuals struggling with addiction rather than isolating them. According to him, young people affected by substance abuse deserve compassion, guidance and opportunities for a fresh beginning. “We need every citizen to speak up, report local drug activity and help those affected by addiction. If someone in your community is suffering, don’t walk away. Guide them toward treatment, support their recovery and help them start afresh,” he said. The Lieutenant Governor also announced that the government is expanding rehabilitation centres, strengthening counselling services and enhancing skill development programmes to ensure recovering youth successfully reintegrate into mainstream society.
Youth Called Upon To Choose Hope: Addressing the youth directly, the Lieutenant Governor urged them to remain focused on education, innovation, entrepreneurship and nation-building. He appealed to young people never to allow drugs to dictate the course of their lives, encouraging them instead to take pride in Jammu and Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage and contribute positively to society. “Your energy is meant for building, your talent for creation and your courage for moving forward,” he said. He also urged parents to remain vigilant and seek timely help whenever signs of substance abuse are noticed, observing that early intervention often makes recovery easier and more effective. Teachers, religious scholars and community leaders were encouraged to continue spreading awareness regarding the harmful effects of drugs while strengthening values of discipline, responsibility and social harmony among young people.
Recognising Collective Efforts: The Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to officials of the civil administration, Jammu and Kashmir Police, law enforcement agencies, volunteers, women’s groups, social organisations, educational institutions and citizens who contributed to the campaign’s success. He felicitated outstanding performers for their contribution and released a coffee table book compiled by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations documenting the campaign’s achievements and public outreach. The event also featured a documentary produced by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, cultural performances by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, and presentations by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Red Cross Society highlighting awareness and rehabilitation initiatives. A two-minute silence was also observed in memory of citizens who lost their lives in the recent natural calamities across Jammu and Kashmir.
Building A Drug-Free Future: The completion of the first 100 days marks an important milestone in Jammu and Kashmir’s ongoing efforts to address drug abuse through a combination of enforcement, awareness and rehabilitation. While acknowledging that challenges remain, the administration believes the campaign has generated unprecedented public participation and strengthened collective resolve against narcotics. With rehabilitation programmes expanding, awareness initiatives reaching schools and communities, and stronger institutional coordination taking shape, the next phase of the campaign aims to deepen community engagement while providing greater support to those seeking recovery. The Lieutenant Governor concluded by calling upon every citizen to transform the campaign into one of India’s largest social movements, united by a common goal of protecting the youth, strengthening families and building a Jammu and Kashmir that is drug-free, terror-free and filled with hope, opportunity and development.
