Sikh youth group begins campaign against drugs

Tribune News Service

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Jammu, November 17

A Sikh youth group started a campaign to wean away youth from drugs in the border areas of Jammu where menace of psychotropic substances being injected by Pakistan across the International Border in Punjab and J&K UT is threatening the present generation of youth.

The Sikh Youth Sewa Trust is involving religious preachers to reach out to youngsters in villages and towns bordering Pakistan and also taking out regular rallies to create awareness among school and college students.

“In the past few weeks two youngsters have approached us for helping them in getting rid of drugs. It was after, we were confronted with the deep-rooted problem that we decided to start a crusade against the menace”, said Tejinder Paul Singh, chairman of Trust.

On Sunday, the group organised a two-wheeler rally which passed through different areas of Jammu to highlight the effects of long-term drug use. The District Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and the Police Department has also been helping the Trust to reach out to the youth.

“Our aim is to bring the youth together irrespective of religion and make them aware of the psychotropic drugs. It is ruining families economically and destroying the youth”, said Singh.

Drug addiction is not confined only to boys, now this menace has also gripped girls, as cases of girls found involved in consuming drugs have increased manifold.

The cross-border drug mafia is very active in Jammu and Kashmir UT and Punjab where it is targeting the youth. The drug consignment in Jammu mostly comes from Punjab despite preventive steps taken by the police, the administration is unable to curb its flow.