Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, has called for a strong, in-situ de-addiction mechanism within educational institutions to tackle the growing menace of substance abuse in the Valley. Chairing a high-level meeting, Garg emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among all concerned departments to curb drug use among students.
Under his directions, every school and college will appoint one male and one female nodal officer responsible for student counselling, awareness campaigns, identification of vulnerable students, and ongoing monitoring. The initiative also includes regular Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities to sensitize students about the dangers of substance abuse.
Religious leaders are also being roped in, with Wakf authorities tasked to conduct orientation programs so they can use their societal influence to raise awareness and promote social responsibility. Coaching institutions and student hostels will come under a structured monitoring framework developed by IMHANS to ensure effective oversight.
Additionally, the Director of Health Services has been instructed to prepare a comprehensive training calendar for trainers, creating a robust pool of resource persons to support educational institutions. Directors of Colleges and Schools have been asked to submit lists of staff who will be trained and assigned the responsibility of identifying, counselling, and monitoring students at risk.
The Divisional Commissioner also stressed the importance of maintaining performance reports, conducting regular awareness sessions, and sharing success stories to encourage best practices. The Police Department has been directed to enhance surveillance over known drug hotspots in Srinagar and other districts in close coordination with health authorities.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including DC Srinagar Akshay Labroo, directors from School Education, Social Welfare, Higher Education, Health Services, IMHANS, Wakf Board, Police, and representatives from civil society.
This initiative reflects a focused approach to tackling substance abuse by combining education, awareness, and law enforcement efforts across the Valley.
