Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: SKIMS organises awareness programme aimed at teachers to build drug-free society

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, MAY 07 (STC): In line with the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan Campaign, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) today launched a series of significant educational and public health initiatives titled “Drug-Free Society: Role of Teachers.”
The initiative involving the Department of Community Medicine SKIMS, Department of Psychiatry, SKIMS Medical College, has been launched in collaboration with ECHO India.
The program focused on empowering Higher Secondary School teachers & colleges with the knowledge, practical skills, and early identification strategies necessary to recognize students vulnerable to substance use, addiction, and associated psychosocial risks. Given the rising concerns regarding substance abuse among adolescents, teachers are recognized as critical frontline stakeholders capable of early intervention and preventive support.
The series of events were inaugurated with opening remarks by Prof Mohd Ashraf Ganaie, Director SKIMS & EOSG followed by Dean, Medical Faculty, SKIMS- Prof Bashir A Fomda, Principal-SKIMS Medical College- Prof Fazlul Q Parray, HOD-Community Medicine,SKIM S- Prof Anjum B Fazili and HOD, Psychiatry, SKIMS Medical College- Prof Abdul Majid Ganie and Vice President- Health Education- Dr Sandeep Bhalla.
The training emphasized: Early behavioral, psychological, and academic warning signs of substance use vulnerability,
Risk factors including peer pressure, mental health concerns, family dysfunction, and social influences,
Communication strategies for sensitive engagement with students.
Referral pathways for counseling, psychiatric support, and rehabilitation services, Preventive school-based approaches for promoting resilience, awareness, and healthy lifestyles.
Expert faculty from Community Medicine- Dr Tanzeela Bashir, Psychiatry- Dr Muntaqeem , delivered evidence-based sessions aimed at strengthening school-level preventive frameworks against drug abuse.
The initiative reflects SKIMS’ broader commitment to preventive public health, youth mental health promotion, and community empowerment through intersectoral collaboration. By integrating educational institutions into national anti-drug efforts, this program marks an important step toward building safer school environments and a healthier, substance-free society.
Through this capacity-building exercise, participating teachers are expected to serve as proactive community advocates in safeguarding adolescents from substance misuse and contributing to the larger mission of Nasha Mukht Bharat.
Prevention begins with awareness, and teachers are among the strongest pillars in protecting our youth from substance abuse. The organizers reaffirmed their commitment to continued outreach, educational partnerships, and strengthening preventive frameworks to address substance use disorders at community and institutional levels.

(Straight Talk Communications)