Mehbooba expresses gratitude to LG's action on drug menace, calls for 'collective fight'

The Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday expressed gratitude over recent steps taken by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to curb the growing drug menace in Jammu and Kashmir and called for collective societal action to address the crisis.

The People's Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday expressed gratitude over recent steps taken by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to curb the growing drug menace in Jammu and Kashmir and called for collective societal action to address the crisis. Addressing a rally in Poonch, Mehbooba Mufti voiced concern over the widespread drug addiction in the Union Territory, saying the problem has deeply penetrated society. ''We are grateful that at this time the lieutenant governor has taken notice and efforts are being made in this regard. We must do something about it,'' she said. Asserting that LG is actively taking measures to address it, she added that the drug menace has now become a serious concern for both governance and society, stressing that the issue is no longer confined to an area but to entire Jammu and Kashmir. ''The drug menace has had an impact on the entire government and society. It has spread across Jammu and Kashmir,'' she said. Highlighting the social roots of the crisis, Mehbooba Mufti said that widespread depression and frustration among people, especially youth, was a major contributing factor. ''The reason is that ordinary people are depressed, disappointed and troubled. They have things to say but are unable to express them because the biggest problem at this time is that of the youth,'' she said. She further said that unemployment had severely affected families across the region. ''Unemployment has broken the backs of the people here - mothers, fathers and entire families. It is not just that the youth are unemployed, a young person has to secretly ask his mother for money for rent, and the father refuses and gets angry,'' she said. Mehbooba Mufti said the impact of unemployment extends to the entire household and often pushes vulnerable youth towards substance abuse. ''When this young person becomes depressed, hopeless and starts taking drugs or drinking liquor and at time commits suicide, it affects the entire family and society,'' she added. Taking a dig at the government, she said that the current regime had failed to effectively address the issue. ''Those in government over all these years should have taken notice and done something about it. We too have to do something about it. First of all, hopelessness has to be ended,'' she said. Citing an example, she said determination and courage were essential to overcome crises. ''There is a very big example in our program - look at Iran, a small country, how can it fight America, and why would it fight? Because when you have determination, strength and courage, you can face any storm,'' she said. She further said that increasing pressure, unemployment and surveillance were adding to public distress. ''Today's time is of growing unemployment. If any young person writes a post on social media, the police summon him by evening. There is surveillance everywhere. Even in mosques, everything is monitored,'' she alleged, adding that such conditions would not last forever.