Mission Sambhav steps up fight against drug abuse in hills

The rising incidence of drug abuse in remote Himalayan regions has highlighted the urgent need for early prevention, awareness and community-based intervention, said Himalayan Volunteer Tourism (HVT) Foundation co-founder Panki Sood during the ongoing Mission Sambhav campaign in Srinagar, Kargil, Zanskar and Ladakh.

Mission Sambhav, an initiative of the HVT Foundation launched in Kullu and supported by Trident Automobiles, has been taking its anti-drug message to schools, colleges and local communities across some of the most remote and geographically challenging parts of the Himalayas. The campaign focuses on preventing substance abuse among young people through awareness, education, mental health support and community participation.

Panki Sood, who has personally experienced substance abuse and subsequently overcome addiction, has emerged as one of the key voices of the campaign. Along with fellow speaker Sanchit, he has been sharing his journey from addiction to recovery with students and communities, highlighting the importance of seeking help and creating an environment where people struggling with addiction are not isolated or stigmatised.

Addressing students at SECMOL School and Zanskar College, Sood emphasised that geographical remoteness cannot be allowed to become a barrier to effective drug-prevention initiatives. He stressed the need to establish stronger prevention mechanisms in schools, families and communities before substance abuse takes hold among young people.

According to Sood, addiction does not discriminate between metropolitan cities and remote mountain villages. He underlined that prevention needs to begin at an early age, with teachers, parents, community leaders and young people working together to identify risks and provide timely support.

Mission Sambhav has reached more than 10 schools, colleges and communities in recent days, conducting awareness sessions involving students, teachers, police personnel and local representatives. The campaign has also encouraged students to take an active role by starting awareness drives and peer-support initiatives within their institutions and communities.

The initiative views the fight against substance abuse as a collective social responsibility rather than an issue that can be addressed by governments alone. Sood emphasised that former addicts and people in recovery can play a particularly important role by sharing their experiences and demonstrating that recovery is possible.

Kargil and other Himalayan regions have historically demonstrated a strong spirit of community solidarity. Mission Sambhav seeks to channel that spirit into the fight against substance abuse by building an inclusive environment that supports recovery while preventing addiction among the younger generation.