Youth must be at the forefront of the fight against narcotics
Honourable Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s call to the youth to become ambassadors of a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir is more than a ceremonial appeal delivered at a public function. It is a reminder of the scale of a crisis that has silently seeped into our homes, neighbourhoods, and institutions. The drug menace in J&K is no longer a marginal law-and-order issue; it is a full-blown public health emergency threatening our social fabric and the future of an entire generation. At Lok Bhavan in Srinagar on Sunday, the LG reiterated his commitment to dismantling the entire drug ecosystem while ensuring treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration for affected youth. This twin approach is crucial. The battle against narcotics cannot be won by policing alone. It demands an ecosystem of its own: robust enforcement against traffickers, accessible de-addiction services, and sustained community-driven awareness. In this context, the engagement with the Save Youth Save Future Foundation is significant. Civil society groups working at the grassroots often reach where official campaigns do not: mohallas, schools, colleges, and families struggling in silence. When such organisations are encouraged and recognised, the message is clear; the state cannot, and should not, fight this war alone. The launch of the “Mulaqaat” initiative is a welcome attempt to rebuild social bonds that addiction so often destroys. By bringing together people from different communities to share memories, experiences, and cultural traditions, it seeks to reinforce a sense of belonging and purpose, powerful antidotes to the isolation and despair that drive many young people towards substance abuse. Communal harmony and social cohesion are not just lofty ideals; they are practical safeguards against the vulnerabilities that narcotics networks exploit. The volunteers’ acknowledgement of the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan and of the action taken by the Civil Administration and J&K Police against drug peddlers underlines another truth: there can be no leniency for those who profit from poisoning society. Stringent action against traffickers and their networks must continue, with equal emphasis on transparency and accountability in enforcement so that public trust is strengthened, not eroded. Yet, symbolism and sporadic drives will not suffice. Schools and colleges must institutionalise counselling and preventive education. Health infrastructure for de-addiction needs urgent expansion, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas. Families require support systems, not stigma, when they step forward to seek help for their children. If the youth are to become true ambassadors of a drug-free J&K, they must be empowered, informed, and given platforms to lead. The administration, civil society, religious leaders, and media all share a collective responsibility: to ensure that the present moment of resolve does not fade into yet another missed opportunity.
