KISHTWAR: To spread awareness against Drug Abuse, a series of awareness activities were today held across Kishtwar district under the aegis of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan wherein students and people from all walks of life participated with great zeal and zest.

The activities were conducted by the District Social Welfare Department (Nodal Department), in collaboration with the Department of Youth Services & Sports, Education, Health, Municipal Council, AYUSH, Police and Excise.

The events were held under the overall supervision of Deputy Commissioner, Dr Devansh Yadav and coordinated by District Social Welfare officer, Zubair Ahmed.

The day long activities started with the inauguration of Drugs De-Addiction & Counselling Centre by Deputy Commissioner and SSP, Shafqat Hussain Batt in the District Hospital in presence of Chief Medical Officer, Dr Chander Prakash, MS , Dr Javeeda Qazi, ASP, Rajinder Singh, and others.

Meanwhile, a mega awareness rally was organised by the District Social Welfare Department in collaboration with the AYUSH Department and the School Education Department from Dak Bunglow.

The rally, after passing through the main Market, General Bus stand, mini-Bus Stand and Hidyal Chowk, culminated at Char Chinar, Chowgan Grounds.

About 400 students drawn from Govt and Private schools participated in the rally, holding placards and banners of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and chanting slogans "Nasha choro Bharat jodo", "Nasha Sa yari Maut Ki Tayari".

At Char Chinar, an awareness Nukar Natak was presented on the theme of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan by local artists and artists from Jammu.

Some rehabilitated youth also shared their real time experiences of how they came in contact with drugs and how they were counselled and rehabilitated by Counsellors in the district Hospital.

Speaking on the occasion, DC Kishtwar lauded the efforts of Social Welfare and other departments besides the school students who are playing a vital role in the war against the drug abuse under Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign in the district.

The SSP highlighted how victims fall prey to this menace and the enforcement measures taken by police administration to deal with it.

Later, a "Tug of War" was also conducted by the sports Department Kishtwar to educate the students and promote the drug free environment through Participation of youth in sports activities.

Similarly, a wall painting competition on the subject Drug abuse, its repercussions on health and De-addiction strategies were also hosted by the District Social Welfare Department. The Students and the local artists draw paintings on the boundary wall of Government Model Boys Higher Secondary School to educate commuters, Students and passers-by about the peril of drugs.

Cannabis destruction drives were also conducted at different places by the Police and Excise Department.