SRINAGAR, JUNE 26: To mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a significant awareness and interactive event was held today at SKIMS MCH Bemina, Srinagar.
The mega event was held under the aegis of the newly established Advanced Centre for Mental Health and Addiction Medicine with support from Addiction Treatment Facility, under the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, in collaboration with Narcotics Control Bureau and Group on Concerned Citizens (GCC).
The programme was organised in collaboration with key stakeholders, including experts from the Department of psychiatry, JK Police, Narcotics Control Bureau, Education Department, Drug Control Department and other departments.
The event started with deliberation on the theme of today’s program “Breaking the Chains: Prevention, Treatment and Recovery for All” which was graced by eminent speakers and delegates from all walks of life.
Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar, was the chief guest on the occasion. He addressed the persistent stigma surrounding substance use. He strongly advocated for recognizing addiction as a medical disorder and urged society to offer compassionate care, dignity and reintegration to the affected individuals instead of discrimination.
Khursheed Ahmad Ganai, guest of honour, shed light on the alarming rise in substance use in the region. Keeping in view the current data and trends, he emphasized the need for multisectoral collaboration and urgent policy-level interventions to combat the issue.
Dr. Mohd Ashraf Ganaie, Director SKIMS, called attention to the genetic and biological underpinnings of substance use disorders. He emphasized the need for a deeper scientific understanding of addiction and supported a shift in perception from behavioral blame to neurobiological insight.