Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 28

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday called on young people to become the driving force behind the fight against drug abuse, saying the administration would continue its crackdown on narcotics networks while expanding rehabilitation and community outreach programmes aimed at preventing substance addiction.

Speaking during an interaction with volunteers of the Save Youth Save Future Foundation at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar, Sinha said combating drug addiction required sustained public participation alongside law enforcement, urging young people to act as ambassadors of a drug-free society.

“Youth must become ambassadors of a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha said, asking volunteers to intensify awareness campaigns in their local communities and encourage greater public participation in anti-drug initiatives.

The remarks come as authorities in Jammu and Kashmir continue to describe substance abuse as a growing social challenge, particularly among young people, prompting the administration to combine stricter enforcement against drug trafficking with efforts focused on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

Over the past few years, police and civil authorities have stepped up anti-narcotics operations, targeting drug peddlers, dismantling trafficking networks and attaching properties allegedly linked to the illicit trade under provisions of anti-drug laws.

The administration has also expanded de-addiction facilities and awareness campaigns under its “Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan” (Drug-Free Jammu and Kashmir Campaign), which seeks to involve educational institutions, community organisations, religious leaders and youth groups in preventive outreach.

Reiterating the government’s approach, Sinha said law enforcement alone could not eliminate the problem without broader social engagement.

He said the administration remained committed to dismantling the entire narcotics ecosystem while ensuring that young people struggling with addiction received opportunities for treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

“The fight is not only against drug traffickers but also for saving the future of our youth,” he said.

Representatives of the Save Youth Save Future Foundation welcomed the administration’s anti-drug campaign and praised what they described as stronger action by the police and civil administration against narcotics trafficking.

During the event, Sinha also launched “Mulaqaat”, a community engagement initiative developed by the foundation to promote dialogue among people from different social, cultural and religious backgrounds.

According to organisers, the programme aims to strengthen social cohesion by encouraging participants to share personal experiences, traditions, cultural practices and collective memories through structured community interactions.

The initiative seeks to foster communal harmony and greater understanding among diverse communities, organisers said.

Officials said the programme complements broader efforts to involve civil society organisations in addressing social challenges beyond drug abuse, including youth engagement, community development and social inclusion.

The interaction was attended by Wajahat Farooq Bhat, chairman of the Save Youth Save Future Foundation, Women’s Wing head Anika Nazir, South Kashmir Zonal President Mudasir Ahmed Dar and other members of the organisation.

The foundation has been involved in community awareness programmes across Jammu and Kashmir focusing on youth welfare, substance abuse prevention and civic engagement.

Drug abuse has emerged as a major public policy concern in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, with health professionals and law enforcement agencies reporting an increase in the use of narcotics among young people. Authorities have responded by combining intensified enforcement measures with rehabilitation programmes, awareness campaigns and community-based interventions aimed at reducing both drug supply and demand.