November 19:Police in Budgam organised an awareness programme on prevention of drug addiction under the banner of "Rising drug abuse and role of civil society" in the premises of Markazi Jamiya Masjid Nasrullapora Budgam.

On the occasion, SSP Budgam Shri Tahir Saleem-JKPS alongwith ASP Budgam Shri Gowhar Ahmed-JKPS, DySP Headquarters Budgam and other officers of Budgam Police were present.

The programme was attended by prominent civil society members, drug de-addiction activists, religious preachers, Auqaf committee members and other respectables/youth of Nasrullapora Budgam including DDC Chairman Budgam Nazir Khan.

While speaking on the occasion, SSP Budgam highlighted the need to protect our young generation from the drug menace. He said that drug abuse poses a serious challenge to our society and urged upon civil society members, religious preachers to act vibrantly against this menace. He also urged Imams of Masjids to act as an institution to fight the drug menace.

He also stressed upon the parents to closely monitor their children and urged them to help their wards choose different career avenues through which they can channelize their potential and energy in a positive way. He further added that the eradication of drug menace from the society, public cooperation is necessary and stressed upon the participants to share all such information related to drug addicts as well as drug peddling in their respective areas so that police can act swiftly.

On the occasion, members of civil society, religious preachers also spoke and highlighted the causes and consequences of drug abuse.

The participants thanked Police for organising such awareness programmes. All the participants pledged to never indulge in any kind of substance abuse.```