The District Administration Kishtwar organised an awareness programme at the GDC Auditorium, Kishtwar, to observe the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on the theme "World drug problem: Persisting issues, new challenges, innovative responses."
Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma attended as Chief Guest and Additional Deputy Commissioner Pawan Kotwal as Guest of Honour. Dr Imtiaz Mansur, Senior Consultant Psychiatry and former Nodal Officer, Mental Health, Kashmir Division, DHS Kashmir, attended as Special Guest and delivered a presentation on drug abuse covering its causes, symptoms, harmful effects and treatment options.
The programme featured a signature campaign against drug abuse launched by the DC, alongside a painting competition, awareness skits and speeches on drug prevention. The Deputy Commissioner highlighted the administration's 100-day anti-drug campaign launched UT-wide on April 11 by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, covering awareness, enforcement and rehabilitation.
Extensive awareness drives were conducted across the district, followed by strict action against drug peddlers, including confiscation of movable and immovable properties and legal action under relevant laws. On rehabilitation, the DC said persons affected by drug addiction should be treated as victims and given opportunities to rebuild their lives; two recovered addicts in Kishtwar were provided loans for livelihood generation, with one purchasing a vehicle to support his family.
The DC further informed that illegal poppy cultivation was detected and destroyed at three locations through joint efforts of the Police and Excise Department, and called for collective efforts to make Kishtwar a drug-free district. Under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan — Viksit Bharat Ki Pehchan, awareness activities were conducted across government and private educational institutions during Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah from June 17, 2026, with active participation from students and the public.
Among those present were District Social Welfare Officer Tariq Parveaz Qazi, Chief Medical Officer Dr Sanjay Bhat, Deputy Chief Education Officer Masood Ahmed Qazi, Nodal Officer ATF Dr Hariss, Tehsil Social Welfare Officer Rajesh Sharma, and officers and staff from the Social Welfare Department, Mission Vatsalya and Mission Shakti Kishtwar.