An awareness programme on drug de-addiction was successfully organized at BHSS Baramulla on April 16, 2026, under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, by Civil Defence Baramulla with institutional support from the SDRF/Disaster Response Division Baramulla.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large number of students of classes 11th and 12th, reflecting growing awareness and concern among youth regarding substance abuse and its consequences. The session commenced with an introductory overview highlighting the current scenario of drug abuse at both local and national levels, key risk factors, and the critical importance of early prevention.
The expert panel included Dr. Bali (Divisional Warden, Civil Defence Baramulla), Ms. Ruheela (Senior Psychologist), Mr. Abid Saleem (Clinical Psychologist), and Mr. Ayoub (Sector Warden, Civil Defence). Through their sessions, students were sensitized to the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of substance abuse, along with the importance of timely awareness and preventive strategies.
The programme aimed to sensitize students to the growing threat of drug addiction, empower them with knowledge, and encourage proactive participation in building a drug-free society.
In his statement, Dr. Anayat Mir, Chief Warden, Civil Defence Baramulla, emphasized that drug addiction—traditionally addressed as a public health issue—must now be recognized as a serious socio-strategic and national security challenge. He highlighted that emerging patterns, particularly in vulnerable and border regions, suggest that the proliferation of narcotics is not merely incidental but may be systematically exploited as a component of hybrid warfare aimed at weakening societies from within.
He further stated that the evolving drug landscape reflects a shift from individual pathology to collective vulnerability. The erosion of youth capital, breakdown of social fabric, and weaponization of vulnerability point toward a deliberate attempt to impair societal resilience and create internal disruption. In this context, drug proliferation functions as a low-visibility yet high-impact instrument of destabilization within the broader framework of hybrid warfare.
Dr. Mir stressed that drug addiction must no longer be viewed in isolation as a medical issue, but as a convergence of social vulnerability and strategic threat requiring urgent and coordinated action. He underscored that a nation’s strength lies not only in its borders but also in the health, resilience, and integrity of its society. Protecting youth, preserving social cohesion, and disrupting narco-networks are therefore critical components of national security. He cautioned that failure to act decisively risks transforming a silent epidemic into a sustained threat to societal stability and national integrity.
The event concluded with an interactive session between students and experts, reinforcing the importance of collective responsibility, informed decision-making, and active youth engagement in addressing substance abuse.
