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Srinagar 20 Nov: One day awareness campaign was held at Govt Polytechnic College Budgam at its Nagam Chadoora campus on 20/11/2023 under the title “Substance abuse among the young generation, our collective responsibility”.
The event was held in collaboration with renowned NGO of the valley Help Poor Voluntary Trust supported by Kashmiri American Society for Healthcare, Education and Research, a Not for Profit organization registered in USA.
The event, anchored by Er. Suehail, brought together esteemed Guests of honor, Dr. Muzaffar Ahmed Khan, renowned Clinical psychologist and Drug de-addiction expert in valley, and
Dr. Syed Riyaz Ahmad project director KASMER , along with a diverse audience committed to addressing the pressing issue of substance abuse among the youth.
The seminar kicked off with a powerful skit, shedding light on the impact of drug abuse on a girl student’s life. The skit portrayed the pivotal role played by her teacher, in collaboration with a doctor, in guiding her back on the right track and leading a healthy and normal life.
Dr. Shafquat Ara, the Principal of Government Polytechnic College Budgam, set the tone for the seminar with a warm welcome address, emphasizing the collective responsibility in
addressing substance abuse. She emphasized the proactive, constructive and indispensable role played by the district administration in the ongoing battle against substance abuse in collaboration with institutions for actively engaging them to address the critical issue of drug abuse collectively. The initiative aimed to raise awareness among students, making them aware of the perils associated with substance abuse. She stressed on addressing mental health issues by fostering understanding, promotion of open dialogue, and providing accessible resources for support and treatment.”
Dr. Muzafar Khan led discussions on the challenges of substance abuse among the youth and shared valuable insights into the psychological aspects of the issue. He addressed the role of teacher in guiding students in right direction away from such evil.
Students showcased their talents through a soulful group song, underlining the collective responsibility in addressing substance abuse.
Dr. Syed Riyaz Ahmed highlighted the role of KASHMER in combating mental health related issues in Jammu and Kashmir with the support & collaboration of HPVT. Dr Riyaz discussed various steps of tackling substance abuse at institutional level by adopting adherence to certain guidelines that involve robust input from educationists, parents and community representatives to make the policy representative and inclusive. Dr Riyaz briefly apprised the audience about the ongoing projects and future initiatives planned for societal benefit, especially in the under privileged areas of the valley.
An invigorating quiz competition of students from different semesters designed to foster healthy rivalry, took a unique and thoughtful approach by centering its questions around the crucial theme of mental health. Participants enthusiastically tackled queries that not
only challenged their academic prowess but also heightened awareness about mental health. The event served as a commendable initiative, blending education with the promotion of mental well-being among the students.
Three distinguished students of the institution also delivered speeches that contributed valuable knowledge to the audience, furthering understanding and empathy.
The seminar concluded with a powerful pledge-taking ceremony, where the gathered
audience, alongside the Guests and students, vowed to collectively fight against the menace of drug abuse. Er. Suehail expressed gratitude to the gathered audience, faculty members, and the Guests, acknowledging their significant contribution to the seminar.
The session concluded with an awareness rally, where participants ran and raised slogans
against drug abuse, symbolizing a collective commitment to the cause.
