Pubdate: Mon, 24 Jun 2013
Source: Greater Kashmir (India)
Copyright: 2013 GreaterKashmir.com GK Communications Pvt. Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.greaterkashmir.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3731

CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL HELD AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

Say No To Drugs

Srinagar, June 23: A candle light vigil was held at Press Enclave here
on Sunday in which people from all walks of life participated to
create awareness against drug abuse in Kashmir.The vigil was organized
by CAUSE, an NGO and Civil Society Forum Kashmir.Students and
professionals took part in the vigil after responding to a call by the
NGOs about a week long campaign against drug abuse.The organiser of
the event, Zubair Ahmad, said the vigil was meant to create awareness
among the youth."This event is to raise awareness about the menace of
drug abuse in the state and to sensitize people so that a movement
will start against it", he said.He said the vigil is being held under
the slogan "From Darkness of Drug Addiction towards the Candle of
Life". "They will also hold road shows and seminars in schools and
degree colleges in the near future to create awareness among
students."Continuing its efforts, an awareness programme was also
organised at the Governmen! t Degree College Baramulla as part of its
week long youth convention on Drug de-addiction all over J&K.The
second part of initiativeagainst drugs by an NGO-CAUSE (concerned
about universal social empowerment) and Civil Society Forum Kashmir
(CSFK) in association with NSS unit Baramulla was organized in the
conference hall of the college in which district administration, local
NGO's, doctors, college administration and hundreds of students
participated.

While speaking on the inaugural function of the occasion, District
Development Commissioner Baramulla,Khawaja Ghulam Ahmad showed concern
over the increasing number of youth falling prey to drugs."Human
resource is the strength of the nation. But drugs have decapitated the
youth. We are concerned about the future of our young generation. We
come across reports in media that the youth falling to prey is showing
upward trend. But I believe that we can overcome it with serious
efforts to tackle the problem," the DC said.Principal Government
Degree College, Baramulla, Irshad Ahmed stressed on tackling the drug
menace at the ground level, "It is time to work on the ground. I urge
my students to work against the drug addiction. Students can play a
better role in identifying the drug addicts and getting them treated
in drug de-addiction centers. But they should not be isolated and
stigmatized. The intervention of NGOs to eradicate the menace should
be target orien! ted to increase its effectiveness," he said. Later on
a documentary on the drug addiction produced by Mass Communication
students was screened on the occasion. Others who spoke on the
occasion include doctors and civil society members.

Meanwhile, a counseling programme titled stress management under the
supervision of Dr Geer Muhammad Ishaq was conducted in two
departments- Biochemistry and department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in
which number of students participated.The doctors who participated in
the stress management camp include Dr Majid from GMC Srinagar, Dr
Javid and Dr Imran from PCR.
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