Srinagar, Jan 6(KNS): In a significant step towards combating the growing menace of drug addiction in Jammu and Kashmir, the Department of Psychiatry (Advanced Centre for Mental & Addiction Medicine), SKIMS Medical College Bemina, on Tuesday commenced a four-day training programme titled “Grassroots Initiative and Community Training on Rehabilitation Module.”
The programme is being held from January 6 to January 9, 2026, as part of an initiative of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
The training programme aims to create awareness about the magnitude of drug addiction in the region and highlight the importance of early screening, timely referral, and intervention. Special focus is being laid on identifying early warning signs of substance abuse, including poor work performance, academic decline, behavioural changes, aggression, neglect of self-care, sleep and appetite disturbances, absenteeism from school or workplace, and frequent involvement in legal issues such as road rage and theft.
Participants in the programme mainly include Community Health Officers, school and college teachers, and health workers from District Srinagar. Through didactic lectures, workshops, and role-play sessions, the participants will be sensitised and trained to identify individuals at risk and refer them to nearby healthcare facilities for early management. The programme also seeks to equip trainees to effectively discuss the dangers and consequences of drug addiction with colleagues and students, while promoting healthy lifestyles and positive coping mechanisms.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The programme is being conducted under the directions of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in view of the alarming rise in drug addiction cases, with collaborative support from the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, Directorate of School Education Kashmir, and Director Colleges, under the guidance of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Shri Anshul Garg, IAS, and Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shri Akshay Labroo, IAS.
Dr. Nizam Ud Din, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Nodal Officer for the programme, coordinated the event and, in his opening session, spoke on “Introduction to Substance Use Disorders.” Other resource persons for the four-day programme include Dr Syed Mehvish (Assistant Professor Psychiatry), Dr Masood (Associate Professor Clinical Psychology), Dr Muntaqeem, Dr Tawseefa, Mr Sameer Khan, and Mr Rayees Ahmad from the Advanced Centre for Mental & Addiction Medicine, SKIMS Medical College Bemina.
In their opening remarks, Prof. Fazlul Qadir Parray, Principal SKIMS Medical College, and Prof. Abdul Maajid, Professor & Head, Department of Psychiatry, emphasised the importance of such collaborative programmes in realising the vision of the “Nasha Mukt Abhiyan.”
They said these initiatives not only help save individual lives but also provide a new lease of life to affected families and contribute to building a healthier, peaceful, and prosperous society in the region. (KNS)