Under the aegis of the Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan (NMBA), the District Administration Bandipora on Wednesday organised a “Maa Se Guftagu” and “Dosti Discussion” programme at Government Higher Secondary School, Naidkhai, aimed at strengthening community participation in the district’s sustained campaign against drug abuse.
The programme was attended by Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, students, faculty members, members of Mahila Samitis, ICDS officials, and local women from the area. Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, underscored the central role of mothers in shielding children from drug abuse and allied social evils.
She observed that mothers share the deepest bond with their children and are therefore uniquely positioned to contribute to character development, behavioural awareness, and the cultivation of open, trust-based relationships within the family.
Interacting with students, the Deputy Commissioner cautioned that drug abuse inflicts irreversible damage on an individual’s health, dignity, career, and future prospects. She urged youth to stand firm against the growing menace rather than remain passive bystanders.
She further informed that administration and enforcement agencies are actively working to dismantle drug supply networks, and that provisions of the COTPA Act and the Juvenile Justice Act are being enforced with particular vigilance in and around educational institutions.
The Deputy Commissioner advised mothers to remain alert to behavioural changes in their children, including shifts in friend circles and other early warning signs of substance abuse. She encouraged parents to invest quality time in their children’s lives, engage them in prayers, sports, and constructive pursuits, and maintain close attention to their day-to-day activities and conduct.
Highlighting the broader social consequences of addiction, the Deputy Commissioner noted that a significant proportion of domestic violence cases in the district are linked to substance abuse. She also flagged the rising incidence of women falling victim to addiction and, in certain cases, their involvement in drug-related activities, underscoring the need for heightened community vigilance.
Stressing a humane and rehabilitative approach, the Deputy Commissioner emphasised that persons struggling with addiction must not be stigmatised or treated as criminals, but rather extended care, counselling, and structured rehabilitation support.
She also informed the gathering that community support groups have been constituted at the district level to assist affected individuals in their recovery. The programme concluded with a collective appeal for sustained public cooperation and community solidarity in building a drug-free Bandipora.