JAMMU: Senior BJP leader and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Er Ghulam Ali Khatana, has endorsed and warmly welcomed the decisive steps taken by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha against the growing drug menace that has adversely impacted the nation, its youth, moral fabric, and society at large, including women.
Khatana stated that the Union Government has initiated a mission to eradicate drug abuse, particularly focusing on vulnerable sections such as women, youth, and high-risk communities. He added that these efforts are being actively strengthened by the Jammu & Kashmir administration.
Highlighting the importance of collective responsibility, Khatana emphasized that the Nasha Mukti Abhiyan requires coordinated participation from law enforcement agencies as well as active involvement from the entire community. He stressed that community engagement is essential to effectively combat this issue.
In the context of a rapidly evolving digital and modern society, he pointed out the need to identify root causes of drug abuse among youth, including stress, teenage vulnerabilities, and early exposure of children—even below the age of ten—to negative influences from the digital world. He urged parents to dedicate more time and attention to their children.
Khatana further called for large-scale awareness campaigns and the development of rehabilitation infrastructure at the block level for both boys and girls. He appreciated the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies for maintaining round-the-clock vigilance against drug trafficking and abuse.
He also commended Jammu & Kashmir for its performance alongside states like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana in tackling the issue. Stressing the need for strong deterrents, Khatana appealed for broader community participation, including religious leaders, to raise awareness from places of worship about the harmful effects of drugs and their prohibition in major religious teachings.
