Workshop on preventive counselling for substance abuse held at Sopore

Sopore, Jun 26: To mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Raahat, a mental health awareness organisation based in Sopore, organised a one-day workshop titled “preventive counselling for substance abuse”.

The workshop focused on equipping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify vulnerable populations and implement effective strategies to prevent substance abuse. This year’s international theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”, underscores the importance of proactive, community-based efforts to combat the rising tide of drug addiction.

Aashiq Hussain Zaki, Chairman of Raahat, emphasised that the objective of the workshop was to train and empower participants to identify at-risk individuals and provide timely intervention through preventive counselling. He further stated, “Substance abuse is one of the pressing challenges of our times, especially among youth. Through this initiative, RAAHAT aims to raise awareness and build the capacity of community members, educators, and healthcare workers to take preventive action.”