Hajin, April 24: As part of the ongoing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign under the Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan, Government Degree College (GDC) Hajin organised a comprehensive drug abuse awareness programme on Wednesday at its auditorium.
Chief guest Principal Prof. (Dr.) Gazala Firdous underscored the critical role families and educational institutions play in early detection and prevention of substance abuse. “Parents are the first line of defence in spotting changes in their children’s behaviour,” she said, calling for stronger social bonds and value‑based upbringing to shield youth from addiction.
Speakers invited students to become “peer educators” and community ambassadors, stressing that informed dialogue and collective action are essential to combating the drug menace. Resource persons from health, social welfare, and law‑enforcement departments highlighted the multifaceted impact of addiction—spanning physical health decline, economic loss, and social isolation—and emphasised that sustained community cooperation is vital to curbing substance abuse.
The event was attended by faculty members, college officials, and students, as well as guest speakers including Dr. Mehraj‑ud‑Din, Falak Firdous, Javid Ahmad, Nusrat Naseem, Dr. Firdous Ahmad, Dr. Rahi Rashid, Coordinator Mohammad Shafi Wagay, Showkat Ahmad (Project Coordinator, Drug Addiction Centre, Bandipora), Ghulam Mohi‑ud‑Din (Excise Department), Nazir Ahmad (Youth Services and Sports Department), and ASI Abdul Hamid.