SHOPIAN, MAY 15: In alignment with the visionary initiatives under the Drug-Free Jammu & Kashmir campaign, more than 500 government and private schools across District Shopian today organised mega Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) under the flagship “Family Fortress Initiative” of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA).
The large-scale awareness drive witnessed overwhelming participation from parents, teachers, community members and school managements across all educational zones of the district. The PTMs aimed at sensitising parents about the growing threat of drug abuse among youth and equipping them with practical strategies to safeguard children from substance abuse.
During the interactions, parents were educated about early warning signs of addiction, the importance of emotional bonding within families, monitoring children’s behaviour and social circles, responsible use of social media, and the collective role of society in building a drug-free future.
Teachers and school heads highlighted the need for continuous coordination between parents and educational institutions to ensure the holistic well-being of students.
The programme was conducted under the “Family Fortress Initiative”, which emphasises strong family and community bonds as the first line of defence against drug addiction. The initiative focuses on weekly family dialogues and sustained community engagement to eliminate the drug menace from society.
Parents participated with enthusiasm and expressed concern over the rising threat of narcotic substances, assuring school authorities of full cooperation in protecting children from drug abuse. They also pledged active participation in future awareness programmes and weekly PTMs.
Speakers stressed that schools, families, religious institutions and civil society must work in close coordination to strengthen the “Community Immunisation Programme against Drugs”, aimed at transforming vulnerable areas into drug-free zones through awareness, early intervention and community vigilance.
The district administration and education department appreciated the participation of parents and termed the response highly encouraging.
