Jammu, April 18 (NationPress) Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha participated in a Padyatra as part of the drug-free Jammu and Kashmir initiative in Rajouri district on Saturday, according to officials.

During the event, the L-G addressed a public gathering, emphasizing the importance of the Drug-Free Jammu and Kashmir campaign.

He noted that Rajouri, being a border district, is susceptible to cross-border drug trafficking.

"We are resolved to confront these challenges, dismantle the drug trade, and free our society from the grip of addiction. Since April 11, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have initiated a vigorous crackdown in the Jammu region, leading to over 45 FIRs, the arrest of 63 smugglers, and significant drug seizures from April 11 to 15," he stated.

Regular inspections are now being conducted in schools, pharmacies, and drug agencies, and this initiative will persist without pause.

The L-G highlighted that not all battles are fought on the borders, pointing out that many families in Jammu and Kashmir have long been struggling against addiction in silence, with numerous lives lost to this issue.

"On April 11, from the historic grounds of Jammu's Maulana Azad Stadium, we declared a total war against drug addiction, launching a decisive 100-day campaign," he proclaimed.

"I contend that addiction is not merely a personal flaw but a profound wound in the fabric of our society. Our adversaries exploit it as a weapon, fostering terror through drug smuggling and undermining our nation's strength from within," he added.

"We will win this fight by uniting as a community, with every citizen standing firm in resolve," the L-G affirmed.

He mentioned that cases recorded prior to April 11 have seen a threefold increase in the past week.

"In the next 100 days, we aim to completely dismantle drug networks. When society and administration collaborate, neither smugglers nor criminals will go unpunished," the L-G asserted.

He also stressed that prevention is the cornerstone of the Drug-Free J&K campaign, believing that prevention surpasses any cure.

We need to engage our children before drugs do, fostering awareness and self-respect in schools, colleges, playgrounds, and community centers.

The L-G urged the Jammu and Kashmir Police and other enforcement entities to impose strict penalties on drug traffickers.

"Ensure that no perpetrator escapes justice. We need to conduct relentless crackdowns on those poisoning our youth. Those who are destroying generations will not evade capture," he warned, noting that the administration has developed a standard operating procedure to eradicate drug trafficking networks and to ensure prompt justice.

He added, "From detection and counseling to detoxification, rehabilitation, and aftercare, we are committed to complete rehabilitation."

He instructed officials to perform weekly audits of activities, including tracking rehabilitated individuals and arrested traffickers while ensuring that fraudulent centers are shut down.

"We will restore dignity to our people, reconnect them with our shared society, and unlock their potential to forge a brighter future for Rajouri. This mission requires more than just government efforts," he remarked.

"I invite every social organization and NGO to join us in this noble cause," the L-G concluded.

On this occasion, the Lieutenant Governor took the Anti-Drug pledge and launched the Rajouri Premier League and Rajouri Football Club under the 'Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan'.

Artists performed a musical opera to raise awareness about the devastating effects of substance abuse.