Why preventing drug abuse must be on every political manifesto

Election preparations have reached a feverish pitch. All political parties are making big promises. But it is very unfortunate to note that none of the political parties have given a detailed road map to solve the lethal epidemic of drug abuse in Jammu Kashmir. Instead of writing one liners all political parties should have included a drug abuse fighting programme in some detail. I mean like what they plan to do in the first 100 or 365 days of their government to fight drug abuse. Giving vague one liners absolves all from responsibility.

Drug abusers often find it difficult to deal with any problem, so they must be taught problem solving methods rather than putting problems on hold or prostrating. There are other various factors influencing drug abuse which can be controlled to a large extent if the government comes up with developing some projects to fight drug abuse. I very humbly give some suggestions for the new government of Jammu and Kashmir. 

1. SELLING CIGARETTES IN LOOSE FORM

I am amused to see that some fathers still ask their sons to purchase cigarettes, although selling cigarettes in loose form is a punishable offense, still shopkeepers sell them in loose forms thus buyers of cigarettes are unable to see the graphic pictorial warning meant to be a deterrent for smokers. We should remember that cigarettes are a gateway to drugs, more than often those who start with cigarettes end up becoming heavy alcohol drinkers.

2. TEACHERS AS ROLE MODELS. Teaching is a noble profession, but it should not only include formal education, after the behaviour of parents, if children care for anyone it’s their teacher in school or college, teachers can act as a bridge between parents and children. Teachers can be the first to recognize symptoms of drug abuse.

3. ROLE OF RELIGIOUS CLERICS. Religious figures have a very important role to play in fighting evils be it domestic violence or drug abuse. From 2010 I have been saying and again repeating that in 2024. In Kashmir most people go to attend Friday prayers, so on average an Imam sahib gets 48 times to talk with people, and believe me what impact my counseling will achieve in 8 sessions, Imam sahibs one sermon will achieve it, times have changed so Imam sahibs should include topic of drug abuse in Friday sermons. Similarly I would request religious heads of Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians to actively participate in anti-drug abuse programmes both short term and long term.

Lastly, following steps can be taken under active participation of the government by civil society or radio and TV stations. 

4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAMS

a).
Corner meetings/Workshop/Conferences.

b.).
Essay/Debate/Slogans/Drama/One act Play competitions.

c).     Street plays/Folk Media etc.

The synopsis of my whole article is that parents, teachers and religious heads are role models for the young, if they start fighting drug abuse; importantly with help of some concrete steps of the new government, we can contain the menace of drug abuse.