Asif Iqbal Naik
Jammu, February 15, 2026: In a major outreach programme against substance abuse, the Congress party organised the Youth Half Marathon 2026 in Jammu under the theme “Run Against Drugs”, with hundreds of youth participating in the awareness drive.
The marathon, organised as a Congress initiative to mobilise young people against the growing drug menace, was led by IYC Incharge Manish Sharma, Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib, AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmed Mir, AICC Secretary and Olympian Pargat Singh, along with senior Congress leaders from J&K Chowdhary Lal Singh and G. M. Saroori.
Addressing participants, party leaders said the marathon was not merely a sporting event but a strong social and political message aimed at safeguarding the future of the younger generation. They emphasised that the fight against drugs requires sustained awareness campaigns, stronger rehabilitation mechanisms, and coordinated action at the community level.
Highlighting the growing drug menace in Jammu & Kashmir, speakers expressed concern over the increasing number of drug-related cases and the vulnerability of youth to substance abuse. They noted that narcotics trafficking and addiction have emerged as serious challenges affecting families across both urban and rural areas. Leaders stressed that beyond law enforcement, there is an urgent need for preventive measures, counselling, employment opportunities, and community engagement to effectively tackle the crisis.
Participants carried placards and raised slogans calling for a drug-free Jammu & Kashmir, turning the event into a collective pledge for social reform. Leaders urged young people to act as ambassadors of awareness in their respective districts and to actively support efforts aimed at eradicating drug abuse.
The programme concluded with a unified resolve that “the fight against drugs is the fight for our generation’s future,” with Congress leaders announcing that similar awareness initiatives will be organised across various districts of the Union Territory in the coming months.
