Targets drivers, traders, ulamas, chemists for substance abuse awareness

PAMPORE: The Social Welfare Department in Pulwama has initiated the Nasha Mukht Bharat Abhiyan as part of the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, officials announced on Wednesday.
A one-day capacity building program focusing on the Nasha Mukht Bharat Abhiyan, under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), is currently underway at Government Degree College for Women Pulwama.
Azhar Amin, District Social Welfare Officer Pulwama, delivered a comprehensive introduction to the event. The program is being organized by the District Social Welfare Office Pulwama in collaboration with the DLSA, Police Department, Health Department, and DHEW (Mission Shakti) Pulwama, according to Social Welfare officials speaking to Kashmir Reader.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sajid emphasized the need for joint and relentless efforts to realize the vision of a Nasha Mukt Pulwama. He stressed the creation of a pool of community leaders, teachers, and volunteers per village to ensure continuous public education and information dissemination towards achieving this goal.
Participants were urged to leverage the training received to spread awareness about early signs of drug addiction to every household in Pulwama, facilitating effective drug control measures.
Dr. Sajid, a psychiatrist from IMHANS, highlighted the collective responsibility of individuals in combatting the drug menace and safeguarding the youth and future generations from its devastating consequences.
He emphasized the urgent need for rigorous mass awareness efforts at all levels to tackle the complex issue of drug addiction, suggesting that parents maintain continuous vigilance for early warning signs.
Ulamas of Pulwama, including Mohammad Akram (Imam of Markazi Jamia Masjid Pulwama) and M.A Ahangar (Khateeb of Alamdar Masjid Dangerpora Pulwama), provided insights from a religious perspective regarding the adverse effects of drug abuse, as reported by Sachnews.
During the program, drivers, druggists, chemists, traders association members, and officials from DHEW (Mission Shakti) and OSC were trained on identifying early signs of drug addiction and measures to mitigate its impact at the initial stage.
Various resource persons from DLSA, consultants from Drug De-Addiction Centre Bajwani Tral, and other officials from DHEW deliberated on topics including drug addiction, control measures, counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Speakers representing different sectors, including drivers from the Regional Transport Office, Khateeb, Imams, traders association members, and chemists, urged all participants to effectively implement the training on the ground. They emphasized the importance of safeguarding Pulwama’s youth from falling prey to drug peddlers, making the training outcome-oriented.

BILAL HABIB