• Div Com stresses 3-stage approach to curb substance use
• DC Srinagar highlights role of religious leaders to sensitise people
• Clerics urged to use Friday sermons for awareness, early reporting
Srinagar: In a decisive move to combat the rising menace of drug abuse, the District Administration Srinagar organized a crucial Orientation-cum-Capacity Building Workshop for Masjid Imams and Religious Scholars at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) on Saturday. The event underscores the urgent need for religious leaders to play a proactive role in eradicating substance abuse and safeguarding society from its destructive impacts.
The workshop aimed at highlighting the crucial role of religious scholars in eradicating the growing menace of drug abuse in society and was attended by over 100 prominent Religious Scholars including Imams and Ulemas from across the Valley, besides a large number of eminent citizens and civil society members.
District Administration Srinagar organized the event with the objective of mobilizing religious leaders to actively participate in awareness campaigns and preventive efforts. Principal GMC Srinagar, Prof. Iffat Hassan, Administrator, GMC Srinagar Mohammad Ashraf Hakak, Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Aadil Fareed, Tehsildar Khanyar Syed Shahid, Tehsildar Wakaf Board Ishtiyaq Ahmad, Nodal Officer ATF IMHANS Dr. Arshid, along with other officials and mental health experts, were present on the occasion.
Addressing the workshop, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, emphasized the vital role of religious scholars in sensitizing the public, especially youth, about the harmful and dangerous effects of drug abuse. He urged religious leaders to incorporate messages in Friday sermons that not only prohibit drug consumption across all religions but also highlight its destructive impact on individuals, families, and society at large.
Garg explained that a three-stage approach—comprising awareness campaigns, victim identification, and professional counselling—would be adopted by concerned departments to curb the surge in drug cases. He stressed the importance of early reporting of drug abuse and called upon affected individuals and their families to seek timely help at Drug De-addiction Centres for rehabilitation.
The Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, termed the rising drug problem as a serious concern and called for a collective societal effort to uproot it. He highlighted that drug abuse destroys lives and tears families apart, emphasizing that while the administration has taken strong measures to curb drug trafficking and peddling, religious scholars and parents must also play a pivotal role.
The DC outlined key points of the district’s rehabilitation policy aimed at reintegrating victims into society and emphasized deterrence measures to break the supply chain of drugs in Srinagar.
During the event, prominent religious scholars spoke passionately about their role in raising awareness about the ill effects of drug abuse. Prof. (Dr.) Iffat Hassan Shah stressed that Imams, as trusted community leaders, are crucial in prevention, early intervention, and reducing stigma associated with addiction. Prof. (Dr.) Arshad Hussain, Head of Psychiatry at IMHANS-GMC Srinagar, highlighted the increasing burden of substance use disorders in the region and underscored the importance of early intervention and community participation.
Earlier, mental health professionals delivered detailed presentations on drug abuse, its systematic treatment, existing policies, and available preventive and rehabilitation services. They emphasized the importance of early identification of symptoms and sustained community awareness to effectively combat the problem.
This workshop marks a significant step towards mobilizing religious institutions in the fight against drug abuse, setting the stage for a unified effort to protect society from its devastating effects.