Senior Counsel Adv. Zaffar Shah Calls For Collective Action To Save Youth From Drug Addiction
Srinagar: A community awareness and empowerment programme titled “Resilient Minds, Drug-Free Future” was organised by Common Interest Conversations at Amar Singh Club Srinagar, bringing together intellectuals, legal experts, educationists, psychiatrists, doctors, social activists and civil society members to deliberate on the growing menace of drug abuse in society.
The programme was chaired by Senior Counsel of the Supreme Court of India, Zaffar Ahmad Shah. Prominent personalities who attended the event included Ghulam Nabi Var, Secretary Amar Singh Club Nasir Hamid Khan, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Tasneem Akhter, Dr. Marouf Shah, Showkat Chowdhary, psychiatrist Dr. Fazl-e-Roub, Assistant Professor Psychiatry Dr. Shazia Kounser, and several other experts and social activists.
Speaking on the occasion, Adv. Zaffar Ahmad Shah said society must collectively address the growing drug menace and identify the deeper causes pushing youth towards addiction. He said deterrence alone cannot solve the crisis and stressed the need to examine factors such as unemployment, emotional stress, family instability and social uncertainty.
“Almost every household today is worried about the future of its children. Society, institutions and families must work together to save youth from this dangerous trap,” he said.
Veteran educationist G.N. Var stressed the importance of value-based education and said educational institutions must focus not only on academic excellence but also on character building, emotional resilience and ethical values to protect young people from social evils.
Secretary Amar Singh Club Nasir Hamid Khan said the programme aimed to create awareness and encourage constructive dialogue on the social, psychological and economic dimensions of substance abuse. He highlighted the importance of collective social responsibility in safeguarding the younger generation.
PSAJK president Bilal Ahmad Bhat termed drug addiction a serious social concern affecting every section of society and said timely intervention, awareness and proper guidance were necessary to tackle the issue effectively.
Veteran social activist Tasneem Akhter said addiction was deeply damaging families and communities and called for stronger collaboration between healthcare professionals, rehabilitation specialists, social workers and government agencies.
Chairman BOMIS G.M. Lone said the decline of work culture, discipline and social responsibility was contributing towards frustration among youth. He stressed the need to engage young people in productive and meaningful activities.
Dr. Marouf Shah said collective moral and community responsibility was essential to combat substance abuse, while Dr. Lubna Khan said healthcare professionals, psychiatrists, schools and civil society must work together to address the crisis.
Senior lawyer Adv. Bashir Siddiqui said broken family environments and emotional disconnect were increasing youth vulnerability to addiction, while Showkat Chowdhary stressed the importance of parental attention and identifying early warning signs among children.
Dr. Shazia Kounser said society still hesitates to openly discuss mental health and substance abuse despite the alarming rise in psychological distress and addiction cases. She stressed the need for expert-led awareness campaigns and scientific understanding of mental health issues.
Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Fazl-e-Roub said the drug crisis in Kashmir had evolved into a serious public health challenge and called for a coordinated prevention and treatment mechanism involving families, schools, healthcare institutions and rehabilitation centres.
Former HoD Community Medicine SKIMS Prof. Dr. Abdul Majid Ganai emphasised that prevention was more effective than treatment and highlighted the importance of early intervention and awareness among youth.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, where organisers expressed gratitude to all speakers and participants for contributing towards collective efforts aimed at building a healthier and drug-free society.