Government to partner with religious leaders, social groups for community immunisation initiative against drugs: LG Manoj Sinha

Srinagar, May 12: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said that the government would partner with religious leaders and social groups for a community immunisation initiative against drugs.

Joining the drug-free Jammu and Kashmir campaign in Baramulla, engaging with citizens and participating in a Padyatra, the LG said, “Just as we have taught communities to vaccinate against bacteria or viruses, we will partner with religious leaders and social groups to create community immunisation initiative against drugs in 5-10 high-risk hotspot areas per district.”

Announcing the launch of two innovative pillars under the campaign for the next 69 days – the community immunisationprogramme against drugs and the family fortress initiative, he urged schools, Masjids, temples, gurdwaras, and NGOs to dedicate one hour weekly to strengthen this initiative through awareness.

“It will deliver real results, acting like an early warning system, monitoring hotspots while building them into fully drug-free zones,” LG Sinha said.

He said that the second pillar is the Family Fortress Initiative, which would rely on the strong family and community bonds for the ultimate shield against drug addiction.

“Over the next 69 days, every school, college, and place of worship in Jammu and Kashmir should host a weekly family dialogue on drugs. These dialogues should be open, honest paired with local campaign audits to spot and fix gaps,” the LG said.

He said that in the past 31 days, over 2.35 lakh awareness and outreach events had been held across Jammu and Kashmir.

“More than 44,000 OPD patients have been treated, nearly 700 drug smugglers and peddlers arrested, and stringent action has been taken against the drug supply chain,” LG Sinha said.

He said that action had targeted every financial transaction of drug cartels, seizing crores in properties built from drug money by major smugglers.

“Across Jammu and Kashmir divisions, 300 driving licenses and over 400 vehicle registrations linked to drug smugglers have been recommended for cancellation. Enforcement agencies have ensured massive drug hauls. We have inspected more than 3300 drug stores, and 150 licenses have been suspended for violating the norms,” the LG said.

He said nearly 3000 CCTV cameras were now installed at the drug stores across J&K.

“Over two dozen smugglers have been nabbed under PIT-NDPS Act. I assure the people that we will chase every rupee, every asset, and shell company of drug traffickers, ensuring the harshest punishment for those who are destroying our youth’s future,” LG Sinha said.

He said that fueled by public support, this people’s movement was setting historic records in Jammu and Kashmir and no past social campaign had seen such massive participation.

“We have received nearly 3000 calls for tele-manas counselling and support in the past 31 days. I want our response to drugs to be rooted in science. We don’t shame diabetes patients into health or cure cancer victims through stigma. Likewise, we must treat and rehabilitate addicts with dignity, reconnecting them to society’s mainstream through resolve and compassion. Government officials and citizens must unite for surveillance, rally against drugs, and foster drug-free villages and towns,” the LG said.