Thaindian News

Srinagar, June 27 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Police Crime Branch has organized an awareness camp on “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” in Srinagar.

June 26 was celebrated throughout the world as “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.”

J and K police aimed at creating awareness about problems created by drugs among the youths.

J and K Police Crime Branch Inspector General Raja Aijaz Ali, said the police are trying to convince drug addicts to come out of problem and trying to bring them to normal life by training them at rehabilitation camps.

“Reported cases of drugs are very less. Because of social stigma, the families of addicted persons do not inform us. Through this awareness camp we are informing the families that they should be sympathetic to the addicted person,” Ali said.

Instead of keeping it as a secret, they should report the case to police and get the addicted person to the de-addiction centre of police for treatment,” he added.

The event started with the cycle race and later a symposium on drug abuse and sketch-slogan competitions was held in which students representing various schools of Srinagar participated.

There has been an in increase of 35-40 percent in the drug addicts during the last few years.

“Because of the depressing conditions in Kashmir, the youths have been affected the most. They have gone under depression. They don’t get jobs and remain unemployed despite being educated because of which they fall in the trap of drugs,” said Irfan Ahmad, a student.

A medical camp was also organised in which free drugs were distributed among the patients.

With drug addiction becoming a serious problem, the government is working to establish district level de-addiction- cum counseling centres to provide clinical support and treatment to the drug addicts to help them recover.

According to a study conducted by the United Nations Drug Control Programme in 2008, there are 60,000 substance abusers in the valley. (ANI)