Asia Speaks News Network
Srinagar 26 June: An event against use of drugs and its trafficking was organised by Higher Secondary School Kothi Bagh, Chief Medical Officer Srinagar and “Healthy Minds” , a project of Kashmiri American Society for HealthCare, Medical Education & Research and HELP Foundation J&K.
The program was inaugurated by Mrs Nusrat Bukhari, Principal and Dr Asifa MO with CMO Srinagar. Team of experts from CMO office included Dr Syed Saniya, Epidemiologist NCD, Dr Tasaduq Shafi , Epidemiologist IDSP Dist Srinagar and Dr Asifa Medical Officer CMO. Team of Healthy Minds counsellors included Adil Nazir, Sumaira Sofi, Uzma Sami, Insha Ashraf and Uzma Shafi.
Audiance included students and faculty members of the school.
Highlighting alarming figures of substance abuse in J&K, speakers Mr Adil Nazir, counsellor at Healthy Minds and Dr Syed Saniya detailed about predisposing factors & triggers that push youth towards substance abuse and its negative socio-economic impact , necessary preventive measures and legal aspects to tackle the challenging aspects of care in its early period. Interactive session between audience and speakers generated interesting debate and exchange of relevant information about drug menace in our society.
Commendable efforts put in by the Govt at various levels were also highlighted and appreciated by the audience.
Dr Syed Riyaz Ahmed, Project Manager KASHMER highlighted brief details of various healthcare related projects done in the valley with the support and collaboration of reputed NGOs of Kashmir, HELP Foundation and Help Poor Voluntary Trust.
He also advocated for various measures that educational institutions could take as a preventive strategy to help students stay away from drugs.
A pledge ceremony was held by all teams and audience affirming their efforts to tackle drug problems in the world under the theme 2023 by WHO.
Finally word of thanks and concluding remarks were given by senior faculty of the institution, Mrs Shabina Taj.