SHOPIAN, JUNE 19: Fight against substance abuse is not merely a law enforcement challenge—it is a social mission that demands collective action, sustained awareness and community participation.
It is with this vision that the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, launched the ambitious Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan on 11 April 2026, calling upon every section of society to join hands in building a healthier and drug-free future.
Responding with remarkable commitment and enthusiasm, District Shopian has emerged as one of the leading districts across the Union Territory in implementing the campaign, transforming the anti-drug initiative into a mass public movement that has touched lives across villages, schools, institutions and communities.
The district-level campaign was formally launched from Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Shopian, on 11 April 2026. Since then, the District Administration, under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Shishir Gupta, has maintained an intensive and sustained outreach effort, ensuring that the campaign reaches every household, educational institution and public space.
Since the launch of the campaign, more than 80,000 awareness and outreach activities have been conducted across the district, engaging an estimated 36 lakh participants. These figures reflect not only administrative efforts but also the growing public ownership of the campaign’s message.
From schools and colleges to Panchayats and community institutions, awareness programmes, seminars, rallies, sports events, cultural activities, youth engagements and village-level interactions have been organized to spread awareness about the harmful consequences of drug abuse and the importance of prevention.
A defining moment of the campaign came on 23 June 2026 when the Lieutenant Governor, J&K, participated in a grand anti-drug Padayatra in Shopian. The event witnessed overwhelming public participation, with nearly 20,000 people from all walks of life joining the march. Students, youth volunteers, civil society members, government officials, religious leaders and community representatives walked together in a powerful display of collective resolve against the menace of drugs.
The massive turnout transformed the Padayatra into a landmark event, sending a strong message that society stands united in its commitment to safeguarding future generations from substance abuse.
The success of the campaign in Shopian has been driven by a whole-of-government approach. Departments including School Education, Health, Revenue, Rural Development, Social Welfare, Youth Services & Sports, Excise, Police, Drug Control Organisation and other stakeholder departments have worked in close coordination to ensure effective implementation of the campaign.
The district has also adopted a multi-pronged strategy that combines awareness, prevention, enforcement and community mobilization. Special inspections of pharmacies and medical establishments have been conducted to prevent misuse of regulated medicines.
Enforcement agencies have intensified efforts against illicit cultivation and trafficking activities, while awareness drives on the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) have been carried out across educational institutions and public places.
At the grassroots level, Panchayati Raj Institutions, village-level functionaries, frontline workers, teachers, health professionals and community leaders have played a pivotal role in carrying the campaign’s message to the remotest corners of the district.
Several Panchayats have taken proactive measures towards becoming drug-free communities, demonstrating how local leadership can contribute meaningfully to social transformation.
Equally important has been the active involvement of youth, who have emerged as ambassadors of change through sports activities, awareness programmes, cultural campaigns and peer engagement initiatives.
Their participation has helped transform the campaign from an administrative programme into a genuine people’s movement.
As the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan continues across the Union Territory, Shopian’s experience offers a compelling example of what can be achieved when government institutions and communities work together towards a common goal.
The district’s achievements so far reflect a strong commitment to protecting youth, strengthening families and building resilient communities free from the scourge of substance abuse.
More than a campaign, Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir has become a collective pledge in Shopian—a pledge to secure healthier lives, stronger communities and a brighter future for generations to come.
Through awareness, vigilance and collective action, Shopian is demonstrating that the fight against drugs can be won when an entire society stands united behind the cause.
