Additional Deputy Commissioner, Handwara, Nazir Ahmad Mir led a pledge ceremony and a grand event against drug abuse organized by South Asia Center for Peace and Peoples Empowerment (SACPPE) in collaboration with Ain-ul-Ilum Institute of Morality and Sciences (AIIMS) here on Thursday.
The event, part of SACPPE’s mission to aware people, especially the student community against the hazards of drug abuse, was attended by hundreds of students of the AIIMS, who pledged to fight against the menace.
The students led by the ADC, Tehsildar, Handwara Shahbaz Ahmad Akhoon, ZEO, Shabir Ahmad Badana, BMO Dr Shabir Ahmad Wani, and Director AIIMS Mohammad Suliman Mir signed a pledge banner and vowed that they would put every effort in their area to eradicate the menace of drugs. Two skits were also held by the students to raise awareness against drug addiction and highlight how this menace devastates the entire social fabric.
While appreciating the efforts of the SACPPE, ADC Handwara, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said the need of the hour is to hold such events in remote areas of the valley. “The administration is doing its best to eradicate the drug menace, but society as a whole has to come forward to fight this menace.
“Students play a critical role in the eradication of drugs at school and at home. Students need to first learn the dangers and the effects of using drugs. They should also be taught how to identify the various kinds of drugs that are abused,” Mir added.
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The Director of AIIMS said students should immediately report suspected drug use to the school administration. “Drugs are being introduced intentionally among the student community. Thousands of youth in Kashmir are slipping into the dark alleys of drug addiction as the valley has been flooded with a huge quantity of heroin usage. Not only the government but civil society has to wake up to eradicate this menace,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Tehsildar, Handwara said if we can save future generations from the drug menace, it will be the biggest contribution to society. “Students should report any suspicious person seen idling within the school grounds,” he said.
“The menace of drug addiction has permeated deep into the social fabric of the valley, and its adverse consequences are being felt across all sections of society,” he added.
Shabir Ahmad Badana said the education sector can play a major role to counter drug abuse and both parents and teachers have a role to play. “Students need to first learn the dangers and the effects of using drugs. They should also be taught how to identify the various kinds of drugs that are abused,” he said.
Best teacher of AIIMS Khursheed Ahmad Hajam advised the students that early detection of drug use can enable the school administration to deal decisively and effectively with a problem before it escalates.
Other teachers who spoke on the occasion included Moulana Adil Naseer, Showkat Ahmad Qureshi and Mohammad Shafi Lone.
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The event was hosted by two brilliant students of AIIMS, Mohammad Umar and Hareem Rafiq. Other students who spoke on the menace of drug abuse included Shaista, Maryama, Aleena Farooq Sadaqat, Hafsa, Adnan, and Farhan.
On the occasion, the ADC also led the pledge-taking ceremony where he read out an anti-drug abuse pledge titled ‘Say yes to life, no to drugs.’ A felicitation ceremony was also held on the occasion by the SACPPE in which the best students, teachers, journalists and others were given awards.
SACPPE is a government-registered, non-profit and apolitical organization that is working for the cause of all-around development of society and the promotion of education, research and learning.
(With inputs from agencies)
