Drug abuse has adverse effects on users as well as on public health. Officials and courts time and again termed the situation alarming, stressing on the need to prevent people using drugs. Nonetheless many people have become addicted, already causing great trouble to society.
For those who are unable to kick their habit, measures need to be put in place to limit the damage to their health as well to the wellbeing of the society.
On Wednesday deputy Commissioner Srinagar rightly called for community participation to eradicate drug addiction while underlining that administration alone cannot fight the growing menace.
“Given the gravity of the problem, I believe that instead of brushing it under the carpet, there is a need to bring it to the fire before society. There is a need to expose it. There is a need to stigmatize drug addiction. Our youth needs to know that this path is wrong and this thing must be in the mind of the youth,” he said addressing a presser here.
He said a digital platform is being created which will have scope for both volunteers and victims.
“It is important to note that for drug addiction to be eradicated, administration cannot do it alone. Society has to come forward. Community participation is a must,” he said.
SSP Srinagar there are already social repercussions and most of the burglaries are linked to it.
“80-90 percent of burglaries are linked in Srinagar to narcotic abuse,” he said, adding, “24 persons have been arrested and more than 100 people have been warned that they are under watch and cannot escape the writ of law. Besides, we have raided a number of hotspots,” he said, adding, “those indulging in drug trade cannot escape and they will have to face the law.”
As has been rightly pointed out, “there is a lot more to be done.” The fight against drug abuse needs to be full-fledged.
Youngsters linked to the drug trade are more victims than offenders, a Supreme Court judge famously said and also lay bare not just the callousness towards children that is, regrettably a feature of the society, but also an awareness of the deep corruption that undermines the purpose of any institution for the vulnerable.
As has been underlined by authorities, all stakeholders, youth, educational institutions and NGOs need to work as a team. Together all can play an important role to transform the drug de-addiction efforts of various stakeholders into a public moment and wean away the youth from this menace.
