KIRAN: Drug-Free Kupwara Campaign By Indian Army Touches 6500 Youth In Kupwara In 51 Programs In 4 Months

By Danish Naseer

@danishnaseer414

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 breathtaking sights.

Even the people of Kupwara are progressive-minded open for all types of development to be ushered in. However, bandh calls by the anti-nationals and closure of businesses and schools colleges have severely impacted the lives of locals and this has also resulted in increased unemployment.

Being one of the major Drug trafficking routes and the unemployment in Kupwara the idle youth is, unfortunately, being attracted towards drugs growing into a big menace. It has spread its roots and branches slowly and steadily in the area and it’s taking youth away from reality.

Various researches conducted on the issue reveal that 70,000 people are drug addicts in Kashmir valley among which 4,000 are females. The age group affected is 17 to 30 years and 80% of drug addicts get this addiction before the age of 30 yrs. 90 % don’t have any awareness regarding the drug de-addiction process and only 8% know about the drug de-addiction centres. 90% of 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 more grave in the border district of Kupwara as it sits on two main drug trafficking routes from Tangdhar Karnah and Keran. Already 25 per cent of youth in Kupwara have been affected by this and it will only see a rise due to large prevalent unemployment

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

Various awareness programs/ events have been conducted 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/ Panchayats. A three-month schedule has been drawn for the campaign wherein the program will be conducted in every village/ panchayat by a team of doctors, artists, children, volunteers.

In the second phase of the campaign since November 21, awareness events have been conducted in 51 villages addressing youth from 102 Panchayat Halqa’s. A total of 6514 youth have attended the campaign. 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 (AGS), 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 hearty 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/ motivational movies are played at the end of the event for the youth who 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 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 infused a sense of responsibility & accountability in the parents/ elders who are now volunteering to inform the police regarding drug peddlers which have resulted in the apprehension of 86 peddlers by JKP from December to March 2022.