3.5 lakh people engaged in 7,000 awareness events by DIPR
Srinagar, Oct 24: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Friday chaired a meeting to review the progress of the ‘Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan’, an intensive anti-drug awareness campaign led by the Information Department across the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by senior officers including the Director General of Police, Principal Secretary Home, Commissioner Secretaries of Information and Social Welfare, Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, and other key officials. Deputy Commissioners of all districts joined through video conferencing.
The Chief Secretary stressed the need for a sustained, community-driven campaign involving Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies, and schools. He highlighted the importance of grassroots capacity building and directed that resource persons, drawn from paramedical staff, school teachers, and Self Help Groups, be trained by IMHANS to serve as counsellors in Primary Health Centres, schools, and rural communities.
Deputy Commissioners were instructed to identify local resources in coordination with relevant departments, while the Health Department was tasked with designing training modules. Assistance from NITI Aayog was suggested to strengthen the training framework. Additionally, an audit of calls received on anti-drug helpline numbers was ordered to assess the support being provided to victims and their families.
The Chief Secretary reviewed district-wise implementation, emphasizing rehabilitation and dignified reintegration of recovering individuals through self-employment and education opportunities.
Commissioner Secretary of Information, M. Raju, presented the campaign’s outreach since its launch on April 5. Of 7,847 planned activities, 6,985 have been completed, engaging nearly 3.5 lakh participants. The campaign included 4,569 events in Panchayats, 556 in ULBs, and 1,860 in educational institutions, reaching 1.11 lakh individuals through direct messages, SMS campaigns, debates, competitions, podcasts, and infographics.
Notably, 93 individuals in Kashmir and 24 in Jammu have been successfully rehabilitated. IG Police (Crime) Sujit Singh highlighted complementary police efforts, including the 1933 (MANAS) toll-free helpline and youth-led “Drug Yodhas” initiatives, recognizing 100 proactive youth champions.
On the occasion, the Chief Secretary released the “J&K Nasha Mukt Abhiyan” compendium documenting activities and milestones, appreciating the efforts of all stakeholders. He reiterated that collective, sustained action across schools, local institutions, health systems, and law enforcement is essential to eradicate drug abuse and safeguard the well-being of J&K’s future generations.
