The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was marked by series of awareness events organised by Drugs & Food Control Organisation (D&FCO) in various districts of Jammu province.Multiple awareness events held in various districts of Jammu province highlighted the dangers of drug abuse and its extreme cultural and economic harms. The theme of the year 2018 is: "Listen First - Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe."A mass awareness rally was organised in Jammu City by Drugs and Food Control Organization in collaboration with Narcotic Control Bureau, Jammu. The rally was flagged-off by S.D Jamwal, IG (APHQ) from Nanak Nagar in presence of Virendra Kumar Yadav, Zonal Director, Narcotics Control Bureau, Mohammad Iqbal Pala and Assistant Drugs Controller, Jammu. After passing through various areas, the rally culminated at Jammu University.An awareness rally was organised in Samba District in which hundreds of people including students, NCC Cadets, District officers, members of Civil Society and NGOs took part. The Rally was flagged off by from Municipal Complex and after passing through main bazaars, culminated at Bus Stand.
An awareness program was also held at the Conference Hall of D C Complex which was chaired by ADDC, Pankaj Magotra. Assistant Controller Drugs Renuka Raina made an earnest appeal to the public at large to strictly keep a close watch on their wards, especially school going children, in order to keep them away from the evils of drugs.A Symposium involving students of Kendra Vidayala was organised by Assistant Drugs Controller, Kathua in collaboration with District Health Society. The members of Chemist Association, Kathua were also present on the occasion.Similar Program was organised at Government Higher Secondary School, Chenani by Assistant Drugs Controller, Udhampur in collaboration with Red Cross Society. The SDM, Chennai was Chief Guest.In Rajouri, Assistant Drugs Controller along with other officers of the Department participated in a rally that started from district Hospital and culminated at DakBunglow.A meeting of Chemist Association was convened by Drugs Inspector, Doda wherein chemist fraternity was impressed upon to join hands to eliminate this social evil from the society. The members of the Chemist Association took a pledge to create a ‘Drugs free society’. They further assured their full cooperation to achieve this noble cause.Meanwhile, Lotika Khajuria, Controller, Drugs & Food Control Orgnisation has impressed upon all the sections of society to understand the gravity of situation and join hands to fight against the drug menace.