International Day against Drug Abuse /Illicit Trafficking observed at GMC Rajouri & at Kandi.

Shyam Sood
Rajouri June 26 :-‘GMC Rajouri in collaboration with police and Health Block Kandi today observed the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
At GMC function was chaired by Dr.Brij Mohan Gupta, Principal, GMC and at Kandi (Kotranka) Dr. Iqbal Malik, BMO supervised the function.
“Substance abuse and the illicit trafficking of the drugs is an evil in our society and disorientation among the majority of the youth. Keeping in view of the growing menace and the deterioration of life, the General Assembly at the UN in December 1987 designated June 26 to be celebrated as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” said Dr, Mehmood Hussain Bajar, Medical Superintendent, GMC.
The 21st Century with its greater communication and technical skill has also enabled a greater dissemination of the cause of Anti Drug Abuse worldwide.
Drug trafficking once viewed largely as a social & criminal problem, has transformed in recent years into a major threat to the health & security of people in the region.
Drug dependence is a disease, not a crime. The real criminals are the drug traffickers.
“The supply side is only half of the equation. Unless we reduce demand for illicit drugs, we can never fully tackle cultivation, production, or trafficking” said Dr. Mehmood.
Families, schools, civil society, and religious organisations can do their part to rid their communities of drugs.
Media can also raise awareness about the dangers of the narcotics.
The in-charge de-addiction center, GMC, Ishtiaq Bhat & counselor of the drug de-addiction center Akshdeep also spoke on the occasion.
At Kotranka the day was celebrated at Community Health Center under the overall supervision of Dr.Renu Sharma, Director, Health Services (Jammu) & Dr.Shamim Bhatti, CMO Rajouri.
“As per National Drug Dependence Treatment Center report, at the national level about 14.6% of the people (approximately16 crores) between the age group of 10-75 are current users of alcohol and about 3.1 crores have reported using any cannabis” said Dr.Iqbal Malik, BMO.
Mohd Ayub Lone, Community Health Officer also spoke on this occasion.