Parents, teachers need to play critical role to combat substance abuse: Sheetal Nanda

Srinagar, Aug13: Social Welfare Department Tuesday organised a mass pledge-taking ceremony against drug abuse under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) at Govt Higher Secondary School Kothi Bagh here.
Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare, administered the oath in which teachers and students from different Schools, Colleges and Universities across J&K pledged to work against drug abuse.
Around 1400 educational institutions were connected in pledge against drug abuse through online/VC mode with participation of about more than 3 lakh Students, Teachers and officials. The theme of this year is Viksit Bharat Ka Mantra, Bharat Ho Nashe Se Swatantra.
NMBA was launched by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2020 and is being implemented across the country to reach out to the masses and spread awareness about substance abuse.
The mass pledge at Kothi Bagh witnessed the participation of Director Social Welfare Kashmir, Mohammad Akbar Wani, Director School Education Kashmir, Tassaduq Hussain Mir, Director Social Welfare Jammu, Bharat Bhushan, Mission Director Mission Poshan, Rubina Kouser, Heads of various Educational Institutes, Teachers and students. Director School Education Jammu, teachers, students and other officers attended through video conferencing.
In her address, Commissioner Secretary said that the problem of drug abuse has assumed a critical proportion which needs a wholesome approach to combat it’s spread.
Sheetal Nanda said that there is a need to take quick steps and discuss it in schools, colleges, homes as it is high time for us to rise to the occasion and end the menace of drug abuse for a healthy, wealthy and peaceful future.
Emphasizing that the need of the hour is to remain vigilant at all places, Commissioner Secretary said that parents, teachers have to look for any suspicious activity around homes, schools and report it to the concerned authorities.
She also briefed about the initiatives taken by the government to help those who have become addicts and prevent others from falling prey to the menace.
Sheetal Nanda said that we don’t have to look upon the addicts as criminals but to work for their rehabilitation with compassion so that they realize their mistakes and return to normal life.
Commissioner Secretary said that we need to channel the energy of the youth towards positive things and keep them away from negative influences.
She said that we, as responsible members of the society, have to empower ourselves to become agents of change by disseminating awareness within our community about substance abuse.
Director School Education Kashmir while speaking on the occasion highlighted the importance of NMBA and said that it has emerged as a pioneering initiative to combat substance abuse in India. He impressed upon the youth to become active participants in combating substance abuse so as to make our society free the vicious cycle of drug abuse.