Srinagar, March 27 (KNS): The District Police Srinagar (Zone Hazratbal) in collaboration with Green Valley Educational Institute (GVEI) on Wednesday organised a drug de-addiction awareness seminar at the host school.
The purpose of the event was to create awareness among the young generation who are the first victim of the growing menace of substance abuse.
Speaking at the occasion, Superintendent of Police (SP) Hazratbal Hilal Khaliq Bhat shared some first-hand experiences and stressed on teachers and parents to become the first counselors of the youth in schools and at home to curb the menace of drug addiction.
"J&K Police or health department cannot alone fight the menace of drug abuse. Parents and teachers have to play their role in it. Parents should continuously monitor the behaviour of their kids and teachers should act as first counselors," he said.
"JK Police as a law enforcing agency is doing our job. Illegal property of drug peddlers is being seized and individuals are booked under PIT NDPS Act. But other sections of the society have to play their role as well," he said.
He said the major concern was that the number of girls who have fallen prey to drug abuse is almost equal to that of boys.
"Teen age is very critical in this perspective as this is the stage wherein the students get into social interactions and other things. This is the stage where teachers, parents and other sections of the society have to play their role to safeguard our future generations," he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Earlier in his welcome address, Principal GVEI M D Zargar Principal laid stress on collective efforts to curb the growing menace in the society.
"Drug addiction is eating the vitals of society. 45% of the people are in the age group 18-35 years which have fallen prey to the menace," he said.
Chairman GVEI, Muhammad Yousuf Wani, Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Hazratbal Ashiq Hussain, SHO Zadibal Gowhar Ali, SHO Ahmadnagar Mudasir Ahmad and the staff members of the school were also present at the occasion.
On the occasion, a speech competition was also held wherein the students spoke about the ill-effects of substance abuse. The speakers stressed that drug addiction not only harms the individual but affects the whole family.
The students shared some chilling incidents showing how the menace of drug addiction is targeting the young generation.
Counseling psychologist of drug de-addiction centre Srinagar, Dr Abid Hussain in his address at the occasion shared his first hand experience of dealing with drug addicts. "Teenagers are the easy targets of this menace. We have seen cases wherein the addicts have nothing left behind. Some have lost their parents while some have lost their properties.
At the end, Syed Masoom Madina, Arshiya Baba and Sadiya Wani, the first three positions holders of the speech competition were felicitated with cash prize, memento and a certificate while other participants were rewarded with memento and certificates.(KNS)