Jammu : The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Jammu organised an awareness walkathon on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking under the NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan and the NashaMukt Jammu & Kashmir 100 Days Campaign.
The walkathon was organised in collaboration with J&K Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses (JKSPYM) Targeted Intervention (TI) Project Jammu, supported by the Jammu & Kashmir AIDS Control Society (JKACS), Department of Health & Medical Education, Government of J&K and JKSPYM Outreach and Drop-in Centre (ODIC) Jammu.
The programme was held under the guidance of Principal District & Sessions Judge and Chairman DLSA Jammu Ravinder Nath Watal and under the supervision of Civil Judge (Sr. Div.) and Secretary DLSA Jammu Maleeka Sharma,
The walkathon was flagged off from South Block, Bahu Plaza, by Panel Lawyers, Legal Aid Defence Counsels (LADCs) and Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) of DLSA Jammu. It proceeded via RBI Chowk and Railway Station Chowk to Panama Chowk. Students of Government PG College for Women, Gandhinagar and Government Maulana Azad Memorial PG College, Jammu, joined JKSPYM staff, Panel Lawyers, LADCs, PLVs and members of the public.
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material was distributed during the event, covering drug abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services, human rights, legal aid services and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Participants were informed about the heightened vulnerability of Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) to HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C through unsafe injection practices and the role of harm reduction services and Targeted Intervention Projects in HIV prevention. Information on DLSA’s free legal aid services was also shared.
Rohit Abrol of JKSPYM TI Project Jammu stated drug abuse is a serious public health and social challenge requiring collaborative effort. He said: “The drug menace is a public menace and not merely a government issue. The public must actively support the Government’s efforts in eradicating this challenge. Together, through awareness, responsibility and community participation, we can protect our youth and build a drug-free society.”
The programme concluded with a pledge by all participants to support the NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan and the NashaMukt Jammu & Kashmir 100 Days Campaign.
