Menace of drug abuse an emerging threat for our youth: Farooq Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president and Member of Parliament Dr Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said the menace of drug abuse is the emerging threat which if left unchecked will consume the future of youth.

Interacting with a group of representatives of welfarecommittee Maqdoom Sahib at his residence here, Farooq said that “the needof the hour called for joint societal efforts to tackle with the menace.””Every issue has to be addressed with all seriousness jointly by various stakeholdersthat include the government as well. But the greater responsibility lies on theshoulders of schools, parents and the community leaders. The need of the hourcalls for inclusive policy against the menace focusing mainly on threecomponents: policing, de- addiction, and prevention.  The situation should be immediately tackledwith a brawny response before it morphs into a much dire situation,” hesaid.

   

“It would be better if the state government comes upwith an inclusive policy against the menace of drug addiction and narcoticsmuggling. The policy frame work should include the inputs of health, policeand education departments. Various civil society groups should also be taken onboard before evolving such a state level strategy against the menace,” he said.

NC spokesperson in a statement said the visiting delegationapprised the party president about the increasing activity of drug peddlers atSheikh Colony locality. “The delegation lamented the negligent attitude ofthe local police towards the issue. The delegation members said that theirrepeated petitions in this connection were not entertained by the local police.The delegation apprised the party president about the necessity of removing theresidents of Sheikh Colony to other area of the city. They maintained that thesettlement has become a hub of all unscrupulous activities including drugpeddling and land grab in Malkha graveyard,” the statement said.

Dr Farooq assured the visiting delegation that he will writeto the Governor about the issue. “I will personally meet his Excellency toapprise him on the issue. The land grab issue concerning the biggest graveyardof the valley is of great concern. The graveyard is of historical importance,it has a history to it. I assure you that I will raise the issue at theappropriate forums,” he said.

The statement said the visiting delegation lauded the formerminister, Ex MLA Khanyar and party general secretary  Ali Muhammad Sagar for his efforts towardsthe development of the area. “The delegation members asserted that nosubstantial work towards the expansion and maintenance of infrastructure wascarried out since BJP-PDP had its hands on the rein of power in the state. Theyalso expressed dismay over the laid back attitude of the present governor administrationtowards meeting the development demands of the Shaher e Khaas,” thestatement added. 

Party president assured the visiting delegation thatdeveloping Srinagar would be high on the agenda of the next government led byOmar Abdullah, the statement said.

Among others  AliMuhammad Sagar, Muhammad Akbar lone, Peer Afaq Ahmad were also present on theoccasion.

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