100-Week Nationwide Anti-Drug Mission Launched at SKUAST-K; LG Announces Rehabilitation Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims
Srinagar, Aug 2 :
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday launched the Union Territory-level “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan” at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), calling upon the youth to lead the movement for a drug-free, healthy and developed India.
The 100-week nationwide campaign, virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to mobilise millions of young people across the country to promote healthy lifestyles, combat substance abuse and actively contribute towards building Viksit Bharat.
Addressing students, youth organisations and officials at the launch event, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that India’s greatest strength is its young population, with nearly 65 per cent of citizens below the age of 35 and around 37 crore youth in the 15-29 age group capable of driving the nation’s development.
“The ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva’ campaign is designed to channelise the immense energy of our youth towards nation-building. Young people must become the torchbearers of a prosperous, progressive and drug-free India,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said the anti-drug campaign launched in Jammu and Kashmir in 2020 has evolved into a people’s movement, driven by self-discipline, awareness and collective participation rather than remaining merely a government initiative.
The Lieutenant Governor informed that over one crore youth will participate in the 100-week national campaign through nearly 10,000 locations across the country. More than 35,000 MY Bharat Clubs, Nehru Yuva Kendras, educational institutions and industry organisations have joined the nationwide outreach programme.
Praising the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the successful implementation of the 100-day “Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan”, conducted from April 11 to July 20, Sinha said the campaign has emerged as a model for the rest of the country.
He credited the administration, Jammu and Kashmir Police, civil society organisations, educational institutions and religious leaders for working together to combat the growing menace of drug abuse.
Highlighting the achievements of the anti-drug drive, the Lieutenant Governor said authorities registered nearly 2,300 FIRs, arrested around 2,600 drug offenders, and seized approximately 1,500 kilograms of narcotic substances during the campaign.
He further stated that properties worth nearly Rs 200 crore belonging to narco-terrorists and drug smugglers were attached. Additionally, 370 driving licences and 750 vehicle registrations were cancelled, while recommendations have been made for cancellation of nearly 3,000 Aadhaar cards linked to individuals involved in narcotics-related activities.
Emphasising that law enforcement alone cannot eliminate drug addiction, Sinha said awareness, treatment and rehabilitation are equally important. He announced that the “Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims-2026” will be launched shortly in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor said the pilot project will initially be implemented in two of the worst-affected districts of Kashmir and Jammu divisions. The three-year programme will focus on medical treatment, psychological counselling, education, skill development, employment opportunities, social reintegration and continuous follow-up support for recovering drug victims.
“Those caught in the trap of drugs are victims who deserve a second chance. We must restore their dignity, livelihoods and future through comprehensive rehabilitation,” he said.
Sinha also appealed to parents, teachers, educational institutions and youth volunteers to actively participate in spreading awareness against drug abuse across villages, schools and colleges.
He said families and teachers play the most important role in guiding young people, while volunteers associated with MY Bharat and Nehru Yuva Kendras (NYKs) should take the anti-drug message to the grassroots level.
“A healthy youth, a strong family and a responsible society are the foundation of a developed India,” the Lieutenant Governor said while administering the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva’ pledge to participants at the event.
Among those present were Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Commissioner/Secretary Youth Services and Sports Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, MY Bharat J&K Director Nitin Hangloo, senior civil and police officers, NYK members, youth club representatives and a large number of students.