Pulwama, May 5: Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) continued its commitment to addressing pressing social issues by hosting the second day of a two-day workshop on “Drug-Free Society: Call for Collective Action.”
The programme brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the administration, religious leaders, NGOs, academia, and civil society, fostering an inclusive dialogue on tackling the growing challenge of substance abuse.
The workshop was coordinated by Prof. G. N. Itoo, Director, Centre for Good Governance and Policy Analysis, who emphasized that the fight against drug abuse must begin at the family level, with parents playing a crucial role in guiding and monitoring their children. He also urged religious leaders to actively contribute to awareness generation and preventive efforts.
During a dedicated session with religious leaders, the Grand Mufti of Jammu & Kashmir called for a strong, community-driven response to curb substance abuse. He highlighted the alarming scale of the issue, noting that despite numerous cases registered and arrests made, the challenge remains significant and requires collective action.
He described substance abuse as a harmful social evil and stressed that lack of parental supervision is one of the key contributing factors. The Grand Mufti appreciated IUST for its proactive role in creating platforms for dialogue and awareness on critical societal concerns.
The programme underscored the importance of coordinated efforts among institutions, community leaders, and families in building a drug-free society.
