Kupwara, April 29 

Community-wide efforts are essential to curb rising drug abuse, a senior district official in Jammu and Kashmir said on Wednesday, urging citizens to take greater responsibility alongside authorities.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, said tackling substance abuse required coordinated action from all sections of society, speaking on the sidelines of an awareness rally held under a national anti-drug campaign in north Kashmir.

“All stakeholders, including the general public, must rise to the occasion and actively contribute towards eradicating this menace,” Suse said.

He highlighted the role of families, particularly parents, in monitoring and guiding children to prevent them from falling into drug use.

Suse said de-addiction centres had been set up across the district to provide counselling and rehabilitation services, adding that authorities were also supporting recovering individuals in pursuing education.

The district administration is working with police and civil society groups to conduct sustained awareness campaigns, especially in schools and colleges, he said.

Officials are also focusing on engaging young people in constructive activities as part of efforts to reduce vulnerability to substance abuse, Suse said.