Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 22: A community awareness & empowerment programme themed “Resilient Minds, Drug-Free Future” was organized by Common Interest Conversations at Amar Singh Club, bringing together intellectuals, doctors, lawyers, educationists, social activists and civil society representatives to discuss the growing menace of drug abuse in society.
The programme was chaired by Senior Counsel of the Supreme Court, Advocate Zaffar A Shah, who stressed the need for collective social responsibility and deeper understanding of the causes driving youth towards addiction. He said deterrence and punitive measures alone cannot address the crisis and called for examining issues such as unemployment, emotional stress, social instability and negative influences affecting young people.
Veteran educationist G N Var emphasized that educational institutions must focus not only on academics but also on character building, emotional resilience and ethical values to prevent social crises among youth.
Several speakers including secretary Amar Singh Club Srinagar Nasir Hamid Khan and Dr Marouf Shah (Deputy Director Research Animal & Sheep Husbandry) highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts involving families, schools, healthcare institutions, civil society and government agencies.
Veteran social activist Tasneem Akhter spoke about field-level experiences with drug-affected families and stressed the importance of rehabilitation and counselling. Mental health experts, including psychiatrists and medical professionals, underlined the strong connection between addiction, psychological distress, family breakdown and social isolation.
Speakers also expressed concern over increasing NDPS-related cases, declining social cohesion, weakening family structures and lack of constructive youth engagement. They advocated sports activities, counselling, cultural participation and community-driven initiatives as preventive measures against addiction.
Former HoD Community Medicine SKIMS Srinagar Abdul Majid Ganai stressed the importance of preventive strategies and early intervention to protect youth from falling into addiction.
The programme concluded with a collective call for sustained awareness campaigns, stronger rehabilitation systems and coordinated community action to build a healthier and drug-free society.
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