Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice Abdul Haq today called for a rigorous campaign to sensitize the youth of the state about the ill effects of drugs.Minister was speaking at a Drug de-addiction camp-cum-Iftar party organized for jail inmates by J&K Prisons Department at Central Jail, Srinagar today on the eve of International Day Against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking in collaboration with CAUSE- a NGO.1 .Seeking active support from all sections of society in effectively countering drug abuse in the state, Abdul Haq said that Government alone cannot contain the menace but people have to come forward to work in tandem with the law enforcing agencies to check the abuse.The Minister while talking about the importance of sensitizing the youth about the ill effects of drugs appreciated the Prisons Department for their efforts for eradicating the menace of drug abuse.Abdul Haq said the Government is planning to establish a system at Panchayat level wherein minor cases are solved within a limited time so that people get Justice at their doorsteps without moving from pillar to Post in courts, saying that the Government is committed to ensure speedy justice to the under trials .
During the programme, some prominent Psychiatrists, Social Workers and academicians spoke about the menace of Drug abuse and discussed various psychological and medical issues associated with it. A group of artists presented a skit on the theme and received thunderous applause from the guests and inmates.On the occasion, the Prisons Department also released the first edition of its annual magazine "DARPAN" which was compiled under the guidance of DGP Prisons S P Vaid.Talking to the Media, the DGP Prisons emphasized on the need to eradicate drug abuse and making sustainable efforts to engage inmates particularly youth in productive activities. Following the camp, special food was served to the inmates and prayers were offered inside the prison in which the Guests, Staff and inmates participated.The jail inmates expressed their overwhelming gratitude and happiness on the goodwill gesture displayed by the authorities.Prominent among others who attended the program were Dr M S Lone DIG Prisons, Saba Shawl, Staff Officer to DGP, Superintendent Jails- Mirza Saleem Beig, Rajni Sehgal, Mushtaq Malla and Superintendent Central jail Javid M Fazili.