Series of anti-drug IEC campaign events held across Jammu District

 ADM underlines crucial role of civil society in combating substance abuse

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 17: Additional District Magistrate Jammu, Ansuya Jamwal, who is also Executive Secretary of the District Red Cross Society, today inaugurated a drug awareness programme at The Bethel Living Word School Qasim Nagar.

The initiative was part of the three-month-long Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign aimed at combating the menace of substance abuse.

As many as 40 awareness events were held today across different Panchayats of the District, educating the public about the perils of drug menace and its ill effects on individuals and society. The IEC activities were started on February 10, 2025—with the district administration having planned 305 events in the district to be held every Monday, over a period of three months.

The programme featured lectures by medical experts, enlightening students and parents about drug addiction and its devastating consequences. A former addict also shared his experiences with substance abuse and the challenges of rehabilitation, underscoring the dangers of addiction. The event was also attended by former corporators.

Speaking on the occasion, ADM Ansuya Jamwal emphasised the collective responsibility of schools and civil society in curbing drug abuse. She further elaborated on the destructive cycle of addiction and its far-reaching impact on individuals, families and society.

The ADM underscored that disrupting the drug supply chain requires public vigilance and commitment. “Drugs are not cool. Any individual luring children under such pretences should be reported,” she asserted.

Highlighting the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, ADM Jamwal urged school authorities to report violations, ensuring strict action against non-compliant vendors.

Psychiatrist Dr Manmeet Singh advised parents and teachers to monitor behavioural changes that may indicate substance abuse, while Senior Lecturer Dr Shefali Gupta elaborated on preventive measures. SDPO Jammu East Shazeen Bhat outlined the legal repercussions of drug abuse.

The event also featured recitation of poems by students and a skit on the dangers of drug addiction. It concluded with an awareness rally, flagged off by ADM Jamwal, in which students, teachers, and local residents marched through the neighbourhood, distributing informative pamphlets to spread awareness.