BANDIPORA, JULY 29: Tehsil Legal Services Committee (TLSC) Sumbal, under the aegis of District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Bandipora, today organized an awareness programme on ‘Drug Abuse and Legal Framework’ at Government Higher Secondary School, Naidkhai.
The programme was conducted under the supervision of Khalil Ahmad Choudhary, Chairman, DLSA (Pr. District & Sessions Judge) Bandipora, and the joint guidance of the Secretary, DLSA Bandipora, and the Chairperson, TLSC Sumbal.
The event witnessed active participation from staff members, students of the host institution, and Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) of TLSC Sumbal.
Eminent speakers including Panel Lawyer, Lecturer, Teacher, and selected students of the school delivered insightful lectures on the multifaceted issue of drug abuse and the legal mechanisms in place to combat the same.
Speakers collectively emphasized that drug abuse has emerged as a global menace, with the youth being the most vulnerable segment of society. It was articulated that drug addiction erodes cognitive abilities, deprives individuals of the joy of life, and renders them socially and psychologically incapacitated. The condition of a drug addict was metaphorically described as that of a ‘living corpse’- caught between life and death.
Speakers urged that all responsible citizens, including religious scholars, community leaders, and educators, must come forward to combat this social evil. They stressed that drug addicts should not be stigmatized or treated as societal outcasts; rather, they should be approached with empathy and supported through structured rehabilitation efforts.
It was further highlighted that cases involving drug addicts should be dealt with in a humane and reformative manner. Legal aid must be extended to them under the mandate of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, to ensure their access to justice and rehabilitation facilities.
The programme concluded with a collective resolve to raise continued awareness, discourage drug abuse in all its forms, and support those affected through legal and social means.
