CUK observes Int’l-Day against drug abuse with awareness session under ‘Mission Drug-Free Campus’

Ganderbal | June, 25: The Dean Students Welfare and Health Centre at Central University Kashmir, in collaboration with the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) and supported by Sun Pharma organized on Wednesday a one-day general psychiatry wellness camp and an awareness session on “Mission Drug Free Campus” to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The event aimed to raise awareness about the alarming rates of drug abuse in Jammu and Kashmir and to encourage stakeholders to take action against it. Prof. Muhammad Yousuf, Dean of the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, highlighted the urgent need for measures to combat drug abuse, emphasizing that universities should cultivate responsible citizens who advocate for a drug-free lifestyle. Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Suhaff from IMHANS presented an overview of the drug abuse crisis in the Kashmir valley, noting that the center receives 200 to 250 cases daily. He stressed the importance of addressing mental health vulnerabilities and the need for preventive education and peer support to combat addiction, framing addiction as a consequence of unaddressed trauma rather than a choice. Prof. Irfan Aalam, Dean of DSW, called for a multi-faceted approach to tackle drug abuse, urging parental involvement and vigilance regarding behavioral changes in children. He also emphasized the role of schools in promoting mental health and life skills, while advocating for stricter law enforcement against drug trafficking. Dr. Reehan Shawl, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Law, characterized drug abuse as a health issue requiring support and counseling rather than moral judgment. Dr. Mudasir Bhat, who facilitated the program, echoed this sentiment, advocating for empathy towards those affected by addiction and highlighting the potential of recovery centers and community involvement in facilitating recovery. The event also included a psychiatry and wellness camp that provided free counseling sessions, mental health screenings, and basic psychiatric consultations for students and staff, reinforcing the commitment to addressing mental health and substance abuse issues within the university community.