Growing drug addiction

Campaigning against drug addiction is important to stop the youth from falling into drug addiction, but equally important is to help the drug addicts to come out of it. The ever-increasing input of drugs in the market has made its availability possible at doorstep which has rendered the users more dependent upon them and given birth to addiction. Recently, a study carried out by GMC Srinagar’s Department of Mental Health found that Kashmir has surpassed Punjab in drug abuse and ranks second in the all-India list of states with rampant drug abuse. Punjab has 1.2 per cent population using drugs and Kashmir has 2.5 per cent. Teenagers are often seen bunking schools and inhaling marijuana in parks and on roads. Even small children are trying drugs without the knowledge of their parents. It is shameful that the people of the valley have to see these days. Instead of doing good deeds, they have taken the wrong path. The drug mafia wants to deviate the youth from good work and destroy the lives of youth. They are leaving no stone unturned to infect the valley and train them to inject and swallow drugs. Doctors and Writers have been warning the youth about the ill effects of consuming drugs. It seems that they don’t understand the love language. Drugs cause mental illnesses and critical health conditions. It takes away a person’s ability to think and differentiate between right and wrong. Druggist does not only harm themselves but the people around them. Not only young men but women are getting involved in menace. The youth is not understanding the evil intention of the drug mafia and how they are ruining the valley. The youngsters need to be vigilant and report immediately when someone tries to offer drugs. This initiative will save the lives of many people. The Jammu and Kashmir police is on a mission to catch and arrest the peddlers. In fact, the police is taking pains to send these druggists to rehabilitation centers so that they can learn to live without drugs. Parents must also keep track on their children. Sometimes, society watches everything but still remains silent with fear. There are many areas in Kashmir where drugs are being consumed but no one dares to report them to the police station. This is the only reason why the drug mafia is gaining confidence in supplying more and more drugs into the valley. Also, it is the responsibility of the administration to provide better employment to people to keep them away from consuming drugs. Youngsters must be also diverted towards sports, art, and culture to encourage their skills. This will diminish their interest in drugs. Awareness camps and seminars must also be conducted in the valley to stop further damage. Moreover, the administration must direct the concerned department to punish these offenders so that others get to learn a lesson.