Srinagar, Aug 18: Greater Srinagar Leadership (GSL) convened a sit-in protest on Saturday at Press Enclave, Lal Chowk, against the growing menace of drug abuse in Kashmir.
The main purpose of this protest was to shed light on the alarming surge in drug addiction cases within the Kashmir valley, organisers said.
Drawing attention to a recent report from “The Indian Express,” which revealed that a drug addict is being admitted to the Srinagar OPD every 12 minutes, the participants in the peaceful protest highlighted the urgent need for action from all sections of the society.
The protest drew a significant number of participants, including prominent figures such as Chairman Aga Syed Mohammad Hussaini, Vice Chairman Abdul Rehman Bhat, General Secretary & Chief Spokesperson Mohammad Faheem Reshi, General Secretary Syed Aqeel Rizvi, Secretaries Shoaib Ahmad, Yasir Hussain & Showkat Ahmad Mir, Member Parvaiz Ahmad Wani and Aijaz Ahmad.
Addressing the media, they emphasized that the responsibility to combat this growing crisis extends beyond the realm of administration.
“Civil society members, including doctors, lawyers, religious leaders and teachers should play an active role in raising awareness and addressing the issue head-on without losing a single day,” Aga Syed Mohammad Hussaini said.
It was revealed that Greater Srinagar Leadership’s strategy to tackle the menace of drug abuse includes multifaceted efforts. Awareness campaigns are slated to be conducted within schools and colleges, targeting the younger generation and equipping them with the knowledge to make informed choices.
Furthermore, an online hashtag campaign will be launched to rally support from all corners of the people of valley, highlighting the collective responsibility to eradicate this issue.
Mohammad Faheem Reshi, the Chief Spokesperson, remarked, “This isn’t solely the responsibility of the administration; it is a shared duty that every individual must shoulder. Our communities harbor countless young individuals who have fallen victim to this destructive force. Instead of turning a blind eye and assuming that our own families will remain untouched, it’s time for true activism and a spirit of social service to prevail.
He said that Greater Srinagar Leadership is committed to working tirelessly to curtail this menace and everyone is welcomed to join this noble cause.
