KIRAN, a Drug Free Kupwara Campaign by Indian Army touches 6500 Youth in Kupwara in 51 Programs in 4 Months

@JournalistAadil

Srinagar: Kupwara is an unveiling of the most pristine sites of nature ever witnessed. Abode to innumerable wildlife, plant and bird species, these areas provide life among their breath-taking sights. Even the people of Kupwara are progressive minded, open for all types of development to be ushered in.

However, bandh calls by anti-nationals and closure of businesses and schools’ colleges have severely impacted the lives of locals and this have also resulted in increased unemployment. Being one of the major drug trafficking routes and the unemployment in Kupwara the idle youth is unfortunately getting attracted towards drugs which is growing into a big menace. It has spread its roots and branches slowly and steadily in the area and is taking the youth away from reality.  

Various research conducted on the issue reveal that 70,000 people are drug addicts in Kashmir valley among which 4,000 are females. Age group affected is 17 to 30 years and 80% of drug addicts get addicted before the age of 30 years. Nearly 90 % do not have any awareness regarding the drug de-addiction process and only 8% know about the drug de-addiction centres. About 90% drug abusers are poly abusers.

Peer pressure has been summated as the main reason for addiction, relief from depression, seeking pleasure as secondary reasons. The issue is grave in the border district of Kupwara as it sits on conjunction of two main drug trafficking routes from Tangdhar and Keran. Already 25 percent of youth in Kupwara have affected by this and it will only see a rise due to large prevalent unemployment 

KIRAN, is a campaign that has been taken up by Indian Army to make Kupwara a drug free district by creating awareness amongst abusers, targeting supply chain system by creating a restrictive environment for drugs and giving a hope to the victims of menace (KIRAN) by rehabilitating offenders by counselling and facilitating Drug Deaddiction Center in Kupwara.

Various awareness programs and events have been conducted by roping in NGOs, youth organizations, medical departments mainly addressing the higher secondary schools. The campaign is now being elevated to address the youth, the main target population, in their villages or panchayats. A three-month schedule has been drawn for the campaign wherein the programs will be conducted in every village or panchayat by a team of doctors, artists, children and volunteers. 

In the second phase of the campaign which began in November 2021, awareness events were conducted in 51 villages addressing youth from 102 Panchayat Halqas. A total of 6,514 youth attended the camps. The program includes awareness talks by an expert team on the subject and a question answer session. It also includes a beautiful skit by girls from Hajipir Army Goodwill School, Trehgam who travel to each of these venues and earn accolades from the audience. 

The program’s success is complimented by ‘Day with Company Commander’ wherein the locals have a heart-to-heart discussion with the Company Commander and various local issues and village games are organised for the children.

Humsafar Touring Talkies, a vehicle based mobile movie screen with sound systems and projector, featuring patriotic and motivational movies are played at the end of the event for the youth who really enjoy the show as they have no other means of public enjoyment.

The campaign along with its associated events have been making inroads into all the villages and into the hearts and minds of the youth. The success of the campaign is visible in the form of increased awareness amongst youth, parents and which can be gauged from the kind of questions being asked and increasing interest in the audience from event to event. 

The campaign has also has also infused a sense of responsibility & accountability in the parents and elders who are now volunteering to inform the police regarding drug peddlers which has resulted in arrest of 86 peddlers by Kupwara Police from December 2021 to March 2022