As the campaign to uproot the menace of drug addiction picks up, the hope to see J&K as a drug free zone also starts gaining substance. Though it is a long battle and cannot be over in a short period of time, it is important to keep it going and keep the pressure mounting on evil forces. The job of the government is cut out, and the departments particularly meant to mount a consistent offensive against those who indulge in peddling drugs need to sharpen their focus and deepen impact. In this regard no lowering of guard can be afforded. But the battle cannot be won this way alone. There are multiple sides to this problem, and a ceaseless offensive from all sides is needed.
One of the important, in fact the most crucial, sides is the society that is affected by this menace. Everyone recognises the fact that law, force and punishment alone cannot eradicate this menace. Everyone accepts that drug de-addiction centres and some degree of vigilance and awareness through different agencies won’t suffice. Unless our society actively engages in the task of fighting against this menace, we will always be in a loop of covering a yard and losing a mile.
The role of society is so central to it that without its active participation even the efforts of government would go down the drain. The society that leaves it to government agencies alone commits suicide. So the role and responsibility of the society is supremely important and needs to be highlighted time and again.
In this regard, basic building block of any society – family – needs to be activated. Though it goes without saying that parents are too concerned about their children, but when it comes to devoting time, attention and mind, all families may not be optimally playing their role. So the task that appears in bold relief is this; the role of parents needs to be highlighted and parents need to be made aware of that. Beyond awareness they need to be educated and trained on how to be vigilant and in case they find their children in any way falling into this trap, how to respond. A wise and timely response at the level of family would yield huge results in the end.
