BANDIPORA: In a significant initiative aimed at strengthening drug prevention among school-going children, the District De-Addiction Centre (DDAC), Bandipora, in collaboration with District Administration Bandipora, organised an awareness and Community Based Peer-Led Intervention (CPLI) session at Government Boys High School, Garoora, under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan of NAPDDR.
The session focused on creating awareness about substance abuse, strengthening refusal skills among adolescents and sensitising teachers about their role in early identification and prevention.
Project Coordinator, DDAC Bandipora, Umar Islam, delivered a session on the role of teachers in drug demand reduction and services available at DDAC Bandipora.
Explaining the “1 TRY” concept, the Project Coordinator cautioned the students against experimenting with drugs even once, highlighting how curiosity can gradually develop into habit and addiction. He briefed participants about DDAC services, including free OPD and IPD treatment, individual, group and family counselling and follow-up care.
Outreach Worker, DDAC Bandipora, sensitised participants about factors contributing to substance abuse, particularly peer pressure and negative company, and encouraged students to develop the confidence to say “No” to drugs.
An interactive CPLI session was conducted by Supervisor, DDAC Bandipora. Students participated in a painting competition on drug abuse awareness, and students were also engaged in role-play activities to strengthen refusal skills.
The programme concluded with a collective NMBA pledge by students, faculty members and DDAC resource persons. The DDAC helpline 9596022376 was shared for information and support.
