Report by:Mir Arif

Kupwara:Kupwara being a border district and given the lack of adequate educational opportunities and job opportunities in Kupwara, the idle youth are being unfortunately attracted to drugs which is growing into a big menace.

It has spread its roots and branches slowly and steadily in the area due to many factors. Large population of unemployed youth, improperly educated, economically backward, easily impressionable, with false sense of adulthood, geographical location of Kupwara close to border prone to smuggling, large underground network of suppliers, ‘parcel system of smuggling’, corrupt practices by few officials, network of funding by anti national and anti social elements and lack of awareness, counselling, rehabilitation system.

All the pillars of Kupwara i.e. Humdard-E-Kupwara Battalion, JKP, judiciary and NGO Aseem Foundation came together for drug free kupwara Campaign organised mainly for large diaspora of taxi drivers of Kupwara,who can be and are a huge stake holders to curb Drug Menace.

The panel included Colonel MS Navalgatti, CO, 41 RR; ASP Kupwara Raja Zuhaib ; Major Akhil of 428 Field Hospital; Mr Asif Wani of Bar Association Kupwara; Mr Nachiket of Aseem Foundation ; Mr Shokat Ahmed Mir of Kupwara Sumo Association; Mr Farooq Ahmedo Lolab Sumo Association; Mr Mohammad Shafi of Kupwara Bus Association addressed the large gathering covering all dimensions associated with drugs to include health, law, policing, terrorism etc. The audience was impressed upon that if Kupwara has to be Drug Free, it is the taxi drivers who can really make it a success.

The gathering on this day provided a platform for interaction between all stakeholders of Kupwara. Celebration of the Day was a great success and a good initiative towards making Kupwara free from Drugs.

All the attendees finally took a mental oath to do their little bit towards making Drug Free Kupwara.