BANDIPORA, APRIL 18, KDC: In a significant community outreach under the 100-Day Mission Mode campaign of the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, the District Administration Bandipora on Saturday took the fight against drug abuse to the grassroots by organising a “Dosti Discussion” at Higher Secondary School Aragam, focusing on the transformative role of peer groups in preventing substance abuse among youth.
Saturday’s session at HSS Aragam marks the beginning of a district-wide series. The District Administration has planned “Dosti Discussions” across every High and Higher Secondary School in Bandipora during the 100-day campaign, ensuring that no school and no student is left out of the conversation.
The session witnessed active participation from students, parents, and local residents, setting a tone that was less of administrative instruction and more of collective dialogue.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib administered the anti-drug pledge and engaged in an open and candid interaction with the audience. She listened attentively to public concerns, assured administrative support, and went a step further by sharing her personal contact details, encouraging people to report drug peddling, seek help for affected individuals, or offer suggestions.
“The time for action has come,” the DC said, stressing that drug abuse is no longer an individual issue but a societal emergency requiring a unified response.
The DC urged the community to display anti-drug messages prominently at mosques, schools, and other public spaces, and called upon families, educational institutions, religious bodies, and youth organisations to actively contribute to the campaign.
Highlighting the role of families, the DC emphasised the need for parents to invest time in their children, foster discipline at home, and remain actively involved in shaping their behaviour. She also advocated greater youth participation in sports, libraries, co-curricular activities, and government initiatives like Mission YUVA, presenting these as constructive pathways that reduce vulnerability to substance abuse.
The DC also cautioned against measuring student potential solely through academic performance, underscoring that holistic development is key to nurturing confident and capable individuals.
The District Administration reiterated its zero-tolerance approach, stating that strict action will be taken against those involved in drug peddling, reinforcing that community engagement and enforcement will go hand in hand.
Principal, HSS Aragam, Mohammad Syed Mir, described the occasion as a historic step for Aragam, a community, he said, consciously moving towards a drug-free Jammu & Kashmir.
Participants expressed appreciation for the initiative and pledged full cooperation. The programme concluded with a shared resolve to strengthen peer support systems and work collectively towards a drug-free Bandipora.
The “Dosti Discussion” series forms a key component of the District Administration Bandipora’s 100-day IEC and outreach calendar under the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, scheduled from April 15 to July 23, 2026, with sessions planned across all High and Higher Secondary Schools in the district. (KDC)
