The recent awareness program led by SKIMS Medical College under the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan wasn’t just another government seminar; it was a vital intervention. It addressed a growing crisis in Kashmir—the vulnerability of students who, in their search for stress relief, might inadvertently walk into the life-altering trap of substance abuse.
The most powerful takeaway from the session came from the trainee doctors themselves—individuals who were in these students’ shoes only a few years ago. Their message was clear: Smoking and drugs are not coping mechanisms; they are complications.
When a student turns to a cigarette or a substance to “calm their nerves” before a competitive exam, they aren’t solving stress. They are trading a temporary feeling of anxiety for a permanent cycle of dependency. As Professor Ashfaq poignantly noted, addiction is a trap with an easy entrance but a nearly impossible exit. By labeling smoking as the “gateway,” the program hit a nerve that needs to be felt across all households: prevention starts with the very first puff.
Beyond the physical damage, Clinical Psychologist Kaunsar Sidiq brought the human element to the forefront. Addiction doesn’t just happen to a person; it happens to a family. It erodes: Emotional Stability: Turning a focused student into a shell of their former self. Relationships: Replacing trust with secrecy and isolation. Future Aspirations: Clouding the “clarity of purpose” that trainee doctor Zaid emphasized as the best defense against drug use.
While SKIMS Medical College and the Nasha Mukt J&K campaign are doing the heavy lifting of education and clinical support, the responsibility extends to the rest of us. Parents and Teachers: Need to create environments where students feel safe discussing their failures and anxieties without the fear of judgment. Peers: Need to foster a culture where saying “no” is respected and where “struggling” is seen as a normal part of the journey, not a reason to self-destruct.
The commitment shown by Principal Prof. Dr. Fazlul Qadir Parray and his team is a beacon of hope. However, a 100-day campaign is only the beginning. To truly safeguard Kashmir’s “collective future,” we must ensure that the dialogue started in that coaching center continues in every home. We owe it to these 130 students—and the thousands like them—to ensure that their only “high” comes from achieving their dreams, not from a substance that will eventually steal them.
