Srinagar, May 12 (KNS); Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday joined a 'padyatra' in Baramulla as part of the ongoing Drug-Free Jammu and Kashmir campaign and announced two new pillars—Community Immunization Programme against drugs and the Family Fortress Initiative—to be implemented over the next 69 days.
Speaking after the march, Sinha said the Community Immunization initiative would be launched in 5-10 high-risk hotspot areas per district in partnership with religious leaders and social groups.
"Just as we have taught communities to vaccinate against bacteria or viruses, we will partner with religious leaders and social groups to create this initiative. I urge schools, mosques, temples, gurdwaras, and NGOs to dedicate one hour weekly to strengthen it through awareness," the Lt Governor said.
He added that the programme would act like an early warning system, monitoring hotspots while turning them into fully drug-free zones.
Unveiling the second pillar, Sinha said the Family Fortress Initiative would rely on strong family and community bonds as the "ultimate shield" against drug addiction.
"Over the next 69 days, every school, college, and place of worship in Jammu and Kashmir should host a weekly family dialogue on drugs. These dialogues should be open and honest, paired with local campaign audits to spot and fix gaps," he said.
The Lt Governor also shared data from the past 31 days of the campaign, stating that over 2,35,000 awareness and outreach events had been held across the Union Territory.
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He said more than 44,000 OPD patients had been treated, nearly 700 drug smugglers and peddlers arrested, and stringent action taken against the drug supply chain.
"Action has targeted every financial transaction of drug cartels, seizing crores in properties built from drug money. Across both divisions, 300 driving licenses and over 400 vehicle registrations linked to drug smugglers have been recommended for cancellation," Sinha said.
He informed that over 3,300 drug stores had been inspected, 150 licenses suspended for violating norms, and nearly 3,000 CCTV cameras installed at drug stores across the Union Territory.
Over two dozen smugglers have been nabbed under the PIT-NDPS Act, he added.
"We will chase every rupee, every asset, and shell company of drug traffickers, ensuring the harshest punishment for those destroying our youth's future," the Lt Governor said.
Sinha noted that nearly 3,000 calls had been received for tele-MANAS counselling and support in the past 31 days, and called for a science-based response to addiction.
"We don't shame diabetes patients into health or cure cancer victims through stigma. Likewise, we must treat and rehabilitate addicts with dignity, reconnecting them to society's mainstream through resolve and compassion," he added. (KNS)