JUNE 28: On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Advanced Centre for Mental Health at SKIMS MCH Bemina organized a large-scale awareness event aimed at addressing the growing concern of substance abuse, particularly among youth in Jammu and Kashmir.
The event brought together health professionals, students, policymakers, and community members in a collective effort to raise awareness, share insights, and promote compassion-based approaches to addiction and recovery. Minister Javid Ahmad Dar, who attended the program as a chief guest, emphasized the urgent need for society to replace stigma with support when it comes to treating individuals struggling with substance use.
“Addiction is a health issue, not a moral failing. We must focus on compassion, care, and reintegration rather than punishment or exclusion,” he said, calling for a shift in public perception and institutional practices.
A panel of mental health experts and addiction specialists addressed the audience, advocating for evidence-based treatment models, greater public education, and policy-level interventions to tackle the substance use crisis more effectively. They underscored the importance of community collaboration and early prevention efforts, particularly through educational institutions and local health systems.
Students from SKIMS and affiliated institutions also played a vital role in the event by presenting creative posters and artwork on the themes of drug prevention, recovery, and mental health awareness. Their visual contributions helped amplify key messages in an engaging and impactful way.
The event served as both a learning platform and a call to action, urging stakeholders at all levels—government, healthcare, education, and civil society—to work together toward a drug-free future. Organizers stressed that sustained awareness, accessible care, and youth engagement are essential pillars in the fight against drug abuse.
The awareness campaign concluded with a collective message: Prevention begins with education, recovery begins with empathy, and lasting change begins with unity.
