Jahangir Lolabi
Kupwara, Jun 30: Jammu and Kashmir Welfare Forum, ‘Ray of Hope’ Wednesday conducted a Drug De-addiction programme here in Sogam aimed to eradicate the menace with collective support from the general public.
The brainstorming session was attended by a host of dignitaries including Moulana Mohd Shafi Makki, DySP Sogam Aijaz Ah Naik, Kaiser Ahmad Tantry Assistant Professor, besides officials from Forest department in the presence of volunteers of Jammu and Kashmir Welfare Forum.
The guests on the occasion expressed their thoughts and exhorted for a collective fight against the catching trend of drug menace across the valley.
Kaiser Bashir Tantary while speaking on the occasion highlighted the scientific impacts of using drugs and stressed youth to stay away from consumption of drugs. “Our youths should focus more on sports activities including cricket, football and other activities to keep themselves away from the menace.”
“Our college ground is open to everyone and youths are more than welcome to come and engage themselves in activities of recreation”, Tantary said.
“It is quite heartening to see many of our youths are interested in trekking in such turbulent times”, he said adding that “It is a good sign and such activities should be more encouraged to help the youth pass this difficult phase.”
Moulana Mohd Shafi Makki in his speech putforth the Islamic perspective before the participants saying that the consumption of drugs is totally prohibited (Haraam) in Islam. “Even those involved in such practice in any way are condemned by the very basic tenets of the religion”, Makki said.
“The consumption of drugs makes one’s life too miserable and we must know its far-reaching consequences to save ourselves and our younger generations from drug abuse”, Makki further said.
DySP Sogam Aijaz Bhat on the occasion said that the law-enforcement agencies have been putting all its efforts to curb the menace. There is no compromise with peddlers in Lolab and many such accused persons have been booked under different laws in different areas of Kupwara.
The police official on the occasion sought support from the civil and non-civil people to put a more strong and collective fight against the practice of drug abuse to make Lolab valley drug free.
Mashoq Nawab, a social activist present on the eve asked the participants to put their efforts wherever possible saying that it was the right time for this. “We should take a solemn pledge to eradicate the menace of drug addiction as to avoid the looming threat on our future generations”, Nawab said.
“Those people who are selling, importing and exporting drugs should be punished sternly as per the law”, he further said.
Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Welfare Forum while presenting a vote of thanks to the participants said that the focus should be more considerate towards peddlers as to nip the evil in the bud.
