In alignment with the UT-wide launch of the 100-day intensive campaign under Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, the District Administration Pulwama today formally launched the campaign at Circuit House Pulwama. The campaign aims to curb drug abuse through a comprehensive and sustained approach, with a strong focus on awareness generation, community participation, rehabilitation of affected individuals and strict enforcement measures.
On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom, chaired a comprehensive review of all sectors to discuss and review the action plan for effective implementation of the campaign over the next 100 days. Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that the 100-day campaign has been launched with the aim of eliminating drug abuse from society through coordinated efforts of all stakeholders.
He stressed the need for a three-pronged strategy focusing on Information, Education and Communication (IEC), treatment and rehabilitation, and enforcement to achieve tangible results on the ground. He further stated that the thrust of this special campaign is on community-led initiatives and public participation.
He called upon officers to ensure active involvement of youth, religious leaders, elected representatives, former PRI members, influential personalities, social activists, market associations, village communities, students and civil society organizations so that the message of the campaign reaches every nook and corner of the district.
He also directed the Assistant Commissioner Development Pulwama and Executive Officers of Municipalities to recreate and revitalize the youth clubs in all panchayats and wards so that the training sessions are started immediately. Highlighting the role of key departments, the DC stressed that the Health, Education and Social Welfare departments have a pivotal role in early identification, counselling and awareness.
He directed for organizing sustained awareness programmes in educational institutions and strengthening counselling and de-addiction services, alongside promotion of helplines and community-based support mechanisms. The DC further stressed on organizing parent-teacher meetings in educational institutions to sensitize parents about early signs of drug abuse, adding that parents, especially mothers, play a crucial role in guiding and monitoring their children and can act as the first line of defence against substance abuse.
He also emphasized the active participation of Self Help Group (SHG) women in awareness and counselling campaigns, noting their strong grassroots connect and ability to influence community behaviour. Emphasizing enforcement, the DC called for joint enforcement drives against drug peddlers to ensure strict action against illegal networks.
He also stressed the need for identifying and destroying illicit crop cultivation, and directed that coordinated enforcement drives be carried out by multi-departmental teams comprising Revenue, Excise and Police departments. Furthermore, the DC highlighted that inter-departmental coordination is crucial for effective implementation and called for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to ensure the success of the campaign.
Besides, as part of the launch event, DC flagged off an IEC van aimed at disseminating awareness messages across rural and urban areas of the district. Later, the Deputy Commissioner also inaugurated a cricket match at the Sports Stadium Pulwama as part of the campaign.
Addressing the gathering, he emphasized the importance of sports and constructive engagement of youth as a powerful means to channel their energy positively and keep them away from drug abuse, adding that sports activities will be promoted during the campaign.
The launch event was attended by SSP Pulwama, Tanushree; SSP Awantipora, Sajad Ahmad Shah; Commandant 182/183 Bn; Additional Deputy Commissioners of Pulwama, Tral and Awantipora; Chief Planning Officer Pulwama; General Manager DIC Pulwama; and other district and sectoral officers.