Surveillance, Community Monitoring, and Screening Stressed to Curb Drug Menace Among Youth
SRINAGAR: Minister for Health & Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo, on Monday chaired a first-of-its-kind stakeholders’ meeting on drug de-addiction in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting, held at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), brought together senior government officials, police officers, education heads, health experts, NGOs, doctors, civil society members, and rehabilitation patients, both in person and virtually.
Participants expressed grave concern over the alarming rise of drug abuse among children and youth, citing the easy availability of narcotics near schools, colleges, and other vulnerable areas. They recommended integrating training modules into curricula, creating structural support mechanisms, and launching scientific awareness campaigns. Recovering addicts also shared their personal journeys, highlighting the struggles of addiction and recovery.
In her address, Minister Sakeena stressed the need to move from token awareness drives to concrete action. “Awareness programmes must go beyond speeches. If even one child is saved through these initiatives, it is a meaningful contribution to society,” she said.
Key measures announced by the Minister include:
Mandatory CCTV installation in and around schools and colleges to monitor activities and curb illicit drug circulation.
Formation of community-based monitoring committees involving parents, civil society, and religious leaders, facilitated by the Education Department, with monthly progress reports to be submitted to the Directors of School and Higher Education.
Regular health and behavioural screenings in educational institutions for early detection and timely counselling of at-risk students.
Sakeena affirmed that with surveillance, monitoring, community involvement, and systematic screening, substantial progress can be made in tackling the drug menace. She assured full government support to institutions, NGOs, and civil society groups engaged in de-addiction efforts and urged all stakeholders to work in close coordination to safeguard the future of J&K’s youth.
