J&K Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses, a national NGO working in the field of Drug Use and HIV prevention, with support from J&K State AIDS Control Society today Conducted a mass awareness program Vijay Park in Nai Basti, Shri Hari Singh Thakur, Vice president Indian Congress Party, was the chief guest on the occasion.
While addressing he said that time has come when initiatives like this should be done on regular basis. He congratulated the NGO for taking such initiative in the area, he further said he is always ready to support such events and initiatives and will welcome any activity of such kind anywhere in Jammu. Also he mentioned that Nai Basti area is vulnerable to such kind of problems and lot many drug users needs attention care and support by NGOs, by family members and by community members.
Time has come when we should all come together and join our hands to curb this menace from our society. Superintendent of Police, South Shri Rajeshwar Singh was also present on the occasion and he threw light on NDPS act and other acts concerning with Drug Users. Mrs. Deepika Thankur, Dy. Director, IEC JKSACS presented speech on ill effects of drugs and prevention of HIV AIDS. Dr. Arti Bakshi, HOD Psychology Department, Jammu University also presented speech on the topic and stressed on need of early intervention to the adolescent and youth through counseling by teachers, parents and community. Dr. Om Kumar from JKSPYM focused on sign and symptoms of Drug use and HIV/AIDS. Other community leaders like Dr. Ramzan and Mr. Kohli who are active members of political party PDP said that time has come when we cannot keep our mouth shut and do nothing for our society. We should all take initiative and take steps to protect our younger generations from HIV and Drug use. Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Secretary JKSPYM was also present on the occasion. He congratulated the entire team of JKSPYM for organizing such event. A skit was also presented by Shri Shashi Bhushan and his team of Durga Kala Manch, on the event to create awareness on Drug abuse and HIV among general masses. More than 200 people were gathered on the occasion and were benefited with this event. Besides this also pamphlet on HIV/AIDS, Drug use prevention was also distributed among the masses.
Ms. Pallavi Singh from JKSPYM, NGO presented vote of thanks to the guests and informed the people about Targeted Intervention project which has been started since May’2012 in Canal Road area. She further said that this program is based on Harm Reduction approach and is very beneficial for drug users particularly Injecting Drug Users. This program is first of its kind in Jammu and she appealed the drug users and the community members to take benefit from the program.