Srinagar, May 5 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Tuesday announced the formation of ‘Parents Brigade’ in every city, town and village of the union territory. The brigade will act as a voluntary network to identify early signs of drug abuse in their areas.
While addressing a gathering in Budgam district as part of the drug-free J&K campaign, Sinha said, “The aim is to create a voluntary network of parents, women and youth who will be trained and empowered to identify early signs of drug use in villages or wards, and to immediately connect families with resources.”
The L-G assured the citizens that the administration would act with resolve to eliminate the threat. Sinha appealed to every family, social organisation, spiritual and political leaders in Budgam to intensify a drug-free J&K campaign across the district.
He said Budgam must stand against the poison of drugs that is destroying the souls of our youth.
“I believe that every young person struggling with addiction represents a loss to our future workforce and a potential soldier lost to our police and armed forces. Every family shattered by addiction is a crack in the foundation of our society,” the L-G said.
Sinha said, in the fight against drugs, society must acknowledge that many boys and girls battling narcotics addiction are our own children. “They are victims, not criminals, and they need our embrace, compassion and care,” he said.
“The public must eliminate the stigma so that families do not suffer in silence. This mindset must change because in today’s circumstances, silence will not defeat this menace. Public must raise its voice,” he said.
The LG said, “Drug addiction is not just a health issue; it is also a national security crisis. Drugs in our society not only hollow out the aspirations of our youth and damage their self-confidence, but the drug trade also funds terrorism and radicalisation.”
Sinha, without naming Pakistan, said the neighbouring country patronises terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The entire world knows that our neighbour, a major patron of terrorism, is smuggling drugs into Jammu and Kashmir. Drug trafficking and terror funding are no longer separate issues — they are two hands of the same enemy. We must remember that when we fight against drugs, we are also fighting against terror. When we protect our youth, we protect our nation,” he said.
