TEAM JAMMU chief meets LG, submits memorandum for strengthening anti-drug measures
JK News Today
JAMMU, Nov 20: Chairman of TEAM JAMMU, Zorawar Singh Jamwal called on Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Kumar Sinha at Raj Bhawan, here today and sought immediate as well as stronger action against the rising drug menace in Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory.
Team Jammu chief submitted a memorandum to the Lt Governor and highlighted an urgent need to reinforce existing laws besides strengthening mechanisms to prevent the destruction of J&K’s youth by drug addiction.
Zorawar Singh Jamwal said that in recent years, drug abuse has intensified across the Union Territory, with seized narcotics worth crores indicating an organized attempt by adversarial forces, often across the border, to destabilize J&K through “Narco-Terrorism.” He said that this crisis is impacting every facet of society, with both young men and teenage girls increasingly falling prey to drug abuse. Despite existing enforcement efforts, Team Jammu believes the current legal framework is insufficient to curb the influence of a powerful drug mafia exploiting systemic loopholes, Zorawar Singh Jamwal added.
Team Jammu chief emphasized the social consequences of this menace and stated that families are reluctant to report overdose-related deaths due to social stigma, while addiction has also been linked to a rising number of road accidents in the state. He emphasized that drug addiction in J&K is not only a criminal issue but a public health crisis that requires compassion, comprehensive treatment facilities, and accessible rehabilitation.
“We recognize and appreciate the Government’s efforts, including the recent establishment of a Rehabilitation Centre in Jammu and the creation of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF). However, much more needs to be done. The absence of fully-equipped Drug De-addiction Centres in Jammu, combined with the high cost of out-of-state treatment, leaves families struggling to provide care for affected loved ones,” Zorawar Singh Jamwal explained and also called for the introduction of “Ill Effects of Drug Abuse” as part of the mandatory school curriculum to enhance awareness from an early age.
Zorawar Singh Jamwal urged the Lieutenant Governor to direct law enforcement and social agencies to adopt a multi-faceted approach in tackling the drug menace crisis. “This includes equipping the ANTF with advanced technology to combat drug trafficking through digital channels, installing body scanners at high-risk areas, and updating the drug schedule to address new synthetic drugs,” he added and also sought amending protocols to treat drug addicts as victims rather than criminals, especially in cases involving small quantities. This shift would ensure rehabilitation over incarceration, helping to decriminalize addiction and create a more humane and effective approach to the crisis, Zorawar Singh Jamwal said .
“Team Jammu pledges to continue our fight against the drug menace, and we stand ready to support the Government’s efforts in every possible way to make J&K a Drug-Free Zone,” Zorawar Singh Jamwal concluded and hoped that the Lieutenant Governor’s office will take swift action to save J&K’s youth from the clutches of drug addiction, fostering a safer, healthier future for all.
