Mirwaiz concerned over alarming drug addiction, calls it national crisis

Srinagar, Aug 2: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq Friday emphasised upon the alarming spread of drug addiction in Kashmir, mostly among the younger generation as a great challenge facing the nation, in fact a national emergency.
In the light of Quran and Hadith, Mirwaiz while delivering Friday sermon at Jama Masjid Srinagar today, highlighted the prohibition of intoxicants and their harmful effects on human life and society saying there is no allowance for the use of narcotics in Islam.
As per a statement, Mirwaiz said that each human life is extremely precious in the eyes of Allah and protecting it is the duty of every individual upon whom this precious gift has been bestowed. He said collective efforts to combat this grave problem are an urgent necessity of the time.
Sharing available data Mirwaz said that a staggering 1.5 million young boys and girls in Jammu Kashmir have fallen victim to the addiction menace.!
“Given that Kashmir is a high-security zone , If 15 lakh people in the population are consuming drugs, is it possible that the supply chain to such a huge number of people is unknown ?
Without curtailing the supply end of the drug market chain, social initiatives, awareness programs, and rehabilitation efforts will not be effective “ he argued . Mirwaiz urged the concerned authorities to take firm actions to curb the supply of drugs. It’s their job to do so .
Mirwaiz called on parents -specifically emphasising that they should stay vigilant and be aware of their children’s activities and associations, and on all responsible members of society—including teachers, doctors , members of civil society, masjid imams, scholars, NGOs, mohalla committees and the government—to take this issue seriously and play their role in its curb and elimination.
Mirwaiz also stressed that student bodies in schools, colleges and universities can play an important role in addressing this issue among children and youth , therefore authorities should immediately lift the ban on these organisations and allow them to be formed. (KNO)