Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: Jammu-based Centre for Activities for Advanced, Strong and Progressive India (CAASPI) has described mass awareness against the fast-growing menace of drug abuse as one of its focused concerns, terming the issue as a serious social challenge impacting families across Jammu and Kashmir.
Established in May last year by the initiative of noted criminologist Advocate Rameshwar Singh Jamwal, president of the Criminologists Society of J&K, CAASPI brings together several former senior civil servants.
The Group includes former Chief Justice of the J&K and Ladakh High Court Justice Tashi Rabstan, former DGP and CVC Kuldeep Khoda, former DGPs Dr Ashok Bhan and Dr S P Vaid, former Chief Secretary B R Sharma, Maj Gen (Retd) S K Sharma, former IIS officer and Additional DG (Media & Communication) Bharti Vaid, and former IAS officer and J&K PSC member K B Jandial.
A spokesman of the organization said drug abuse has emerged as a pressing societal concern, adversely affecting many families. As part of its initiatives, CAASPI has visited de-addiction centres in Jammu city and offered assistance. It is also planning a series of awareness lectures aimed at sensitizing teachers and students about the risks associated with substance abuse.
The spokesman added that the experience of limited coordination between civil society and local administration during Operation Sindoor last year led to the formation of CAASPI. The group aims to build a structured voluntary network to assist authorities in emergency situations.
The Group has conducted interactive sessions with Home Guards, Civil Defence and Disaster Management organizations and is working to expand the Home Guards base by involving students, veterans and residents. The organization has also submitted a proposal to the Divisional Commissioner Jammu seeking the creation of Social Defence Volunteer Groups to strengthen preparedness and response during emergencies.
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