Collective Action Required: Combating Substance Abuse in Jammu and Kashmir

Ghulam Ahmad Mir highlights the urgent need for comprehensive public policy interventions to combat substance abuse in Jammu and Kashmir. He advocates for balanced regulations on alcohol and tobacco sales, emphasizing the importance of collective action from civil society, government, and other stakeholders to safeguard the youth.

Ghulam Ahmad Mir, AICC General Secretary, has expressed deep concern over the escalating issue of substance abuse in Jammu and Kashmir. He called for a comprehensive public policy intervention to protect the youth from addiction.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police's anti-drug campaign has resulted in 806 arrests, demonstrating the severity of the situation that Mir believes requires non-selective and inclusive measures. Alcohol addiction, particularly among the youth, is cited as a growing problem that needs as much attention as narcotic abuse.

Mir emphasized the importance of regulating alcohol and tobacco availability, urging the government to consider restrictions similar to those in Bihar, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. Civil society, religious leaders, and policymakers must unite to prioritize the welfare of future generations and build a healthier society.