SRINAGAR: Congress youth leader from Bandipora, Tawheed Sheikh has made a strong appeal to the Jammu and Kashmir government, demanding immediate and decisive action to address the escalating drug abuse crisis in the Union Territory.
Sheikh in a statement stressed that while awareness campaigns are important, they are no longer sufficient to combat the growing problem and called instead for the formulation of a comprehensive and well-structured policy to tackle drug abuse effectively.
He underlined the importance of mental health support and rehabilitation for individuals struggling with addiction. He stressed that counseling alone is not enough and that there must be meaningful engagement programs designed to help recovering addicts reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives.
“Counseling alone isn’t enough. To ensure lasting recovery, we must engage individuals in meaningful activities, helping them rebuild their lives and become productive members of society,” he said.
As part of a modern solution to these crisis, Sheikh advocated for the use of technology-driven solutions, such as AI-based monitoring systems to track drug-related trends and distribution networks. He also proposed the development of mobile apps that would allow citizens to report drug-related activities anonymously, thereby increasing community participation in the fight against drug abuse.
The Congress leader called for digital awareness campaigns on social media platforms targeting younger audiences, using influencers and short videos to effectively spread anti-drug messages. He urged law enforcement agencies to investigate not just the users but also the sources and supply chains.
“While the authorities claim to be fighting a war against drugs,we need to ask: Where are these substances coming from and how are they being distributed? The misuse of medical licenses and pharmaceutical distribution channels must also be thoroughly scrutinized,” he said.
Sheikh, called for the establishment of a specialized task force to tackle drug abuse in Jammu and Kashmir. He recommended implementing sports and adventure therapy programs to engage the youth and provide healthier alternatives to drugs.
Sheikh, urged the government, law enforcement agencies, civil society and the general public to join hands and work together in the fight against drug abuse in the valley.