In Kashmir, a batch of 30 teachers was imparted specialized training at Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (IMHANS), Kashmir, to spot children at early age with substance abuse or any other mental disorder.“Training the trainers is a very important component under Drug De-addiction policy and we are keenly working to cover all the components and make arrangements in this regard,” said Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo in his message on the valedictory function of 4-day workshop on ‘Mental Health Issues, Substance abuse in School going children.’The workshop was organised at Child Guidance and Wellbeing Center- IMHANS, Government Medical College, Srinagar.Dulloo said that in order to tackle drug abuse that has over the years seen an exponential rise in Jammu and Kashmir, the government drafted a policy focused on prevention, awareness and accessibility to treatment.“Drug De-addiction Policy would focus on the integration of drug de-addiction centers with main hospitals and on treatment and rehabilitation,” Dulloo said.Dulloo had earlier directed Principals of newly established Government Medical Colleges to establish Drug De-addiction facilities for quality healthcare and on-spot counseling to the patients by January 2020.
He urged Doctors and other stakeholders to come forward for making headway in curbing drug menace in Jammu and Kashmir..Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Prof Parvez Ahmad Shah while giving away certificates to the participants hailed IMHANS, Kashmir for community services.He said that current programme was aimed at training school teachers to ensure the identification of children in need of mental health care and those involved in substance abuse at the school setting.Head, Department of Psychiatry, GMC, Srinagar, Dr. Mohammad Maqbool Dar, said that he was hopeful that the training would help in enhancing the skill base of the teachers so that they can provide basic counseling services to children at the school level.Medical Superintendent, Community General Hospital Unit, SMHS Srinagar, Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Baba appreciated the teachers for taking part in the workshop. He deliberated on the important role played by a teacher with regards to the psychosocial wellbeing of a child.Notably, the State Administrative Council (SAC) had accorded sanction to the first-ever drug de-addiction policy in Jammu and Kashmir on January 5, 2019. The policy lays out a comprehensive action plan for addressing the drug addiction issue in its entirety.