Kullu: With substance abuse emerging as a growing concern in remote Himalayan communities, Mission Sambhav – an initiative of the Kullu-based Himalayan Volunteer Tourism (HVT) Foundation – has called for stronger early prevention measures involving schools, families and local communities.The foundation recently took its awareness campaign to Srinagar, Kargil, Zanskar and Ladakh, reaching more than 10 schools, colleges and community settings. The campaign focused on recognising early warning signs of substance abuse, mental health awareness and encouraging young people to seek help without stigma.“Addiction does not discriminate between cities and villages. Prevention must begin early — in schools, homes and communities. Every student can become an ambassador of change,” said Panki Sood, a Tirthan valley-based co-founder of the HVT, a non-profit foundation, while addressing students during the programme.At SECMOL School near Leh and at Zanskar College, Sood and Sanchit Arora, both of whom have experienced addiction and recovery, shared their personal journeys with students, highlighting the possibility of recovery and the importance of intervention before substance use develops into dependence.Sood said efforts towards a “Nasha Mukt Bharat” should address alcohol and other addictive substances along with illicit drugs, arguing that their social acceptance also needs to be challenged.Arora, an Indore-based volunteer, cautioned that preventive social measures should accompany the rapid expansion of tourism in remote Himalayan areas. Increased nightlife, parties and exposure to addictive substances, he said, could create new risks for young people if tourism growth is not matched by responsible planning.“The Himalayas are opening up rapidly to tourism, and this brings tremendous opportunities for local communities. But we also need to learn from the experiences of other tourist destinations,” Arora said, stressing that prevention must begin before substance abuse becomes widespread.He said govts alone could not address the problem and called for coordinated efforts by teachers, parents, communities, tourism stakeholders, authorities and people in recovery.Mission Sambhav has also been encouraging students to undertake peer-led awareness activities and act as ambassadors for a drug-free society, while stressing that sustained prevention and early intervention must go beyond occasional awareness programmes.
