SRINAGAR, JUNE 30: Minister for Agriculture Production, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today said that the Government is committed to curb drug menace in the society.
The Minister said this while responding to a discussion on “drug menace” in the House.
He attributed frustration, unemployment, turmoil as the reasons for youth to get lured towards drugs.
The Minister said that although the Government is fully committed to check the menace, however, a joint effort that includes family, teachers, NGOs is required to fully address the issue.
He said that while family especially parents play a role in shaping lives of their children, a teacher equally play pivotal part in mentoring them for better future.
The Minister said that Home Department has constituted a Reward Committee that would duly reward the person who informs about the drug consumption or bung cultivation.
The Minister informed the House about the various steps taken by the Government to put a check on the menace. He said that proper implementation of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act would be ensured. He said frequent raids and nakas are conducted to stop the drug smuggling, besides, raising awareness among the masses, rallies, seminars, and Police Public meetings are regularly held. He also added that various youth clubs and gyms are established to keep youth away from drugs.
Mr. Hanjura said that the Government has so far opened four drug de-addiction centers in Jammu, Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag, and assured that in future similar centers would be established in every district.
He added that the Government has constituted Apex Committee that will check the drug menace in the State, besides, constituting Tehsil and District level committees.
Earlier, various MLCs discussed the issue threadbare.
Mr. Khursheed Alam said that the Government needs to monitor sale of psychotropic substances like glue, ink erasers, polish; thinners. He also asked for raising awareness in schools.
Dr. Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri) suggested that the Government should engage religious as well as civil society and NGOs to tackle drug menace.
Mr. Zaffar Iqbal Manhas calling drug menace a global issue also suggested for increasing the job employment opportunities.
Mr. Vikramaditya Singh asked for opening of private rehabilitation centres in State. He also demanded to check the drugs coming from other states.
Mr. Ramesh Arora demanded steps on war footing to be taken by the Government to address the issue.
Mr. Firdous Tak said that drug menace has destroyed the social set up. He added that drug menace is more threatening than road accidents. He suggested that besides, raising awareness among masses, a comprehensive policy should be made to address the issue.
Mr. Naresh Kumar Gutpa said that while bung cultivated needs to be checked and destroyed. He stressed on strengthening of Forensic Testing lab.
Mr. Jugal Kishore said that drug menace has engulfed Jammu more than Kashmir, and demanded constituting of House Committee to look into it.
Sofi Yusuf said that a village Tule-Khun in Bejibehra is badly affected by the menace. He demanded framing of stringent law to check it.
Mr. Surinder Amberdar asked for framing comprehensive policy. He also asked to take the research papers published by various Universities in Kashmir into account on the menace.
Mr. Charanjeet Singh said that the Government should keep a strict vigil on drug smugglers.
Mrs. Rani Gargi Blowria said that parents should watch their children’s activities, and also asked to address the unemployment in the State.
Mr. Surinder Choudhary said that police has an important role in putting a check on the menace. He also asked for stopping the sale of liquor.
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