SRINAGAR: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Monday convened an urgent meeting to address the growing issue of drug addiction and substance abuse among the youth in the Valley.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Director of Health Services Kashmir, HOD of Community Medicine at GMC Srinagar, CMO Srinagar, Deputy Directors of Health Services and Planning, District Social Welfare Officer, OSD to the Divisional Commissioner, and other officers.
Expressing serious concern over the rising drug menace, the Div Com emphasized the need for a multi-pronged strategy. This includes strict regulation of the supply chain of scheduled drugs, monitoring of medical stores, regulation of private de-addiction centers, and evaluation of the success rates of de-addiction centers and Alternate Treatment Facilities (ATFs).
Stressing the importance of concrete measures to combat substance abuse, he directed the formation of a divisional committee to frame comprehensive guidelines. He also called for dismantling the supply chain of banned substances, de-linking private drug stores from prescribing drugs used for withdrawal symptoms, and implementing stringent actions to protect youth and safeguard the social fabric of the society.
