Major awareness event as part of the anti-drug campaign in India's Jammu and Kashmir state

In collaboration with the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) and the Zainapora Administrative Division, a comprehensive awareness program was organized to combat drug abuse and raise public awareness. Held at Govt. SMM Degree College, the event stood out as a significant part of the ongoing 100-day anti-drug campaign in the Jammu and Kashmir region. Many students, academicians, health workers, and government officials showed active participation in the program. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Zainapora, Bilal Ahmad, who attended the event as a guest, reiterated the administration's commitment to completely eradicating drugs and drug trafficking from society. Officials stated that the campaign has been effectively ongoing in the region for the last two and a half months, yielding encouraging results.

The local administration demonstrated the seriousness of the operations by announcing that illegal poppy cultivation in Zainapora has been reduced to zero. Additionally, approximately 28 kilometers of wild cannabis growth detected along roadsides was completely destroyed through continuous field operations and coordinated inspections. Officials added that under the guidance of Shopian District Commissioner Shishir Gupta, the fight against such illegal plant cultivation and substance abuse as part of the anti-drug efforts will continue with increasing force. These successful operations were considered a concrete indicator of the vigilance of local security forces and administrative personnel in the field. Authorities stated that similar preventive measures will continue in the future and all resources will be mobilized to cleanse the region of drugs.

During the program, not only inspections and legal measures were discussed, but treatment and rehabilitation processes for addicts were also addressed with great diligence. Active facilitating steps are being taken to ensure that individuals affected by substance abuse are treated, receive psychological counseling, and are reintegrated into society as productive individuals. The administration emphasized that the goal in this process is for recovering individuals to hold on to life as healthy and responsible citizens. SDM Bilal Ahmad made a call to the youth, inviting them to become ambassadors of social change. The youth were urged to absolutely stay away from drugs, be vigilant about their surroundings, and actively support the administration in building a drug-free, healthy society.

G.A. Qureshi, Honorary Treasurer of the Jammu and Kashmir Red Cross Society, stated that the program is a reflection of the campaign being carried out across the entire region in line with the instructions of the Lieutenant Governor. He highlighted the humanitarian and voluntary role of the Red Cross in raising public awareness, increasing social responsibility, and improving the welfare of society. He requested the younger generation to adopt a healthy lifestyle and contribute to the goal of creating a drug-free society. School Principal Prof. Shaista Masrat emphasized the critical role of educational institutions in nurturing responsible citizens through continuous awareness and preventive work. It was noted that the joint efforts of the administration, non-governmental organizations, and health workers are of vital importance in solving this growing societal problem.

As part of the event, special informative sessions were organized for the participants by medical experts from Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag and the Zainapora Community Health Centre (CHC). Dr. Afaq Hyder and Dr. Suhail Malik made detailed presentations on the devastating effects of substance abuse on human health, social life, and psychology. During these sessions, measures that can be taken to prevent addiction, early diagnosis methods, and the importance of timely intervention and treatment were explained alongside experts. In the interactive session held afterwards, students had the opportunity to ask questions they were curious about regarding substance addiction, mental health, and rehabilitation processes, and received answers. At the end of the program, a practical demonstration on the application of First Aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) was conducted by Dr. Suhail Malik, showing participants the importance of life-saving interventions in emergencies through hands-on practice.