Srinagar, May 2: The Department of Psychiatry, Advanced Centre for Mental and Addiction Medicine, SKIMS Medical College Bemina, Srinagar, has initiated a focused awareness programme under the Government of Jammu and Kashmir’s 100-day NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan, marking a decisive step toward addressing the escalating challenge of substance abuse in the region.
Organized in collaboration with the Directorate of School Education Kashmir, the programme is the first in a planned series aimed at equipping frontline stakeholders—particularly school teachers and counsellors—with the knowledge and skills required for early detection and intervention.
At its core, the initiative confronts a pressing reality: drug addiction in Jammu and Kashmir is no longer a hidden issue but an expanding public health concern with deep social consequences. The programme emphasizes early warning signs that often go unnoticed—declining academic or work performance, behavioural changes, disproportionate aggression, neglect of self-care, sleep and appetite disturbances, absenteeism, and increasing involvement in risky or unlawful activities.
Through structured sessions involving lectures, interactive discussions, and role-play, participants are being trained to identify these early indicators and respond with timely referrals to appropriate healthcare facilities. Beyond identification, the programme seeks to build confidence among educators to initiate informed conversations with students and peers, promoting healthier coping strategies and discouraging pathways that lead to substance dependence.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Abdul Maajid, Professor & Head, Department of Psychiatry and Sub-Dean, underscored the importance of collective responsibility in combating addiction. He highlighted that meaningful change requires coordinated action across institutions, adding that such initiatives have the potential not only to save individuals but to restore families and stabilize communities.
Dr. NizamUd Din, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, delivered a key session on “Introduction to Substance Use Disorders,” providing a clinical and social perspective on addiction. He was joined by a multidisciplinary team of resource persons including Dr. Syed Mehvish, Dr. GulzarMuzaffar, Kousar, Dr. Masood, Sameer Khan, and Rayees Ahmad, who contributed to the training modules. The department acknowledged the proactive engagement of the Directorate of School Education Kashmir, led by Naseer Ahmad Wani, in ensuring the success of the programme. Gratitude was also extended to Prof. FazlulQadirParray, Principal, and Dr. Shafa A. Deva, Medical Superintendent, for their continued institutional support. Notably, the Department of Psychiatry is also collaborating with GK Communications to expand outreach under the campaign, strengthening public awareness on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.
