With one more year drawing to an end, drug abuse remained one among the problems which plagued Jammu and Kashmir. It continues to be a threat as it was in the recent past. Its steely talons are indiscriminate and spare none, children, parents, the poor, and the rich. There are no quick-fix solutions. If successive governments failed to achieve desired results, people, too, do not have much to show by way of their involvement or interest in dealing with the peril of the drugs. Public pressure rides on the back of community participation and it is what drives change, and has been largely missing.
Nevertheless, in the recent past, authorities have been making efforts to curb the menace. A district level committee of Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar on December 30 took a firsthand appraisal of the mode of operation of courier service agencies operating in Srinagar and their SOPs for delivery of shipments.
Deputy Drug Controller, Kashmir, told the meeting that recently various instances have been brought into the notice with regard to trafficking of psychotropic substances through various Courier agencies for delivery to different parts of Kashmir.
It is the shared responsibility of one and all to contribute in eradication of drug menace from the society. The courier service operators need to keep proper vigil on every consignment and scan each suspicious parcel. Specifically while delivering the Medical Drugs to individuals proper address verification of recipients must be made before handing over the consignment.
There is need for better coordination in enforcing greater deterrence to combat dangerous trade of drug-trafficking.
Studies conducted globally have found that some of the reported overdoses were the result of people trying to self-treat their addiction drugs including opioids.
There is a need to understand the problem in-depth and proper data to know the enormity becomes very essential. Those who seek help for getting them out from the clutches of addiction seem to be few and the overall problem appears to be colossal. There is a need for focused attention on how to rescue those who could be and also importantly how to wage a decisive war against the menace, targeting its roots.
Youngsters linked to the drug trade are more victims than offenders. There is a need for collaborative effort on the part of every stakeholder to check the menace and every individual, and social organizations need to join hands together, raise awareness regarding the threat possessed by illicit drugs to one and all.