JAMMU: The District Administration Jammu, under the directives of Deputy Commissioner Sachin Kumar Vaishya and the overall supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner Ansuya Jamwal today continued with impactful Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programmes to combat drug abuse. One such event was held at Tawi Mahal, Udheywala, drawing participation from over a hundred attendees, including local residents, ex-corporators, ex-Sarpanches, government officials and members of the general public.
The campaign featured presentations and speeches from resource persons deputed by the District Administration. These included Tehsildar Jammu North Aman Kumar Anand; SDPO Domana Mudassar Chowdhary; representatives from the Social Welfare Department Kunal Gupta, Health Department Dr. Sandeep; Naib Tehsildar Muthi, Mehar Singh and Education Department representatives Shanti Saroop.
Through their addresses, the experts highlighted the dangers of drug abuse, its societal impact and the importance of rehabilitation efforts. A special cultural performance by artists Mohinder, Surjit and Balbir from the Information Department captivated the audience. Utilising music and art -the powerful mediums of communication, they sensitised attendees about the menace of drug addiction and its connection to crime within society.
Community Hall Trilokpur in Tehsil Jammu West also hosted a similar event where local residents gathered to discuss preventive measures against drug abuse. These initiatives are part of the month-long IEC campaign launched by the J&K Government to combat substance abuse through sustained awareness efforts across panchayats, urban local bodies, Educational Institutions and major public spaces.
In addition to the event at Udheywala, similar awareness programs were organised in multiple government schools as part of a broader initiative under the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan. Schools such as Girls HSS Akhnoor, Girls HSS Arnia, HSS Mawa Brahmana, Girls HSS Canal Road Jammu, HSS Kharah, Girls HSS RS Pura, HSS Dablehr and Govt High School Nagrota hosted awareness drives featuring nukkad nataks (street plays), interactive sessions with resource persons from various departments and other engaging activities to maximise community participation.
