MOHD MAJID MALIK , DODA : In a bid to counter the menace of drug addiction among youth in Doda district , Doda police have sought help from ‘imams’, teachers and respected elders and soon will going to open drugs rehabilitation center in Doda . “We have lost one generation to militancy and we cannot afford to lose another generation to addictions. The imams, teachers and respectable should come forward to help the police in fighting the menace of drug addiction which is day by day rising among youth in Doda district and Bhaderwah is on top where 25% youth are drug addict ,” Senior Superintendent of Police Doda Mohd Sharief Chowhan who recently joined at Doda told this media person in an exclusive interview .The SSP Doda said he has directed the police stations in whole district to deal with drug peddlers with an iron hand. Doda police chief also assured full help to those affected by this menace and informed with the help of district administration soon in the month of March a drugs rehabilitation center will be opened in Doda where free of cost consultant and other help will be provided . The SSP Doda M S Chowhan also referred to growing causalities in road accidents in Doda district and said he has directed authorities for a special drive against errant drivers and other motor vehicle related crimes and informed that Doda Police are identifying those places where tragic road accidents occurred usually so that a strategy will be made on ground to avoid accidents .He also advised that the minors should be discouraged from driving vehicles and said that action should be taken against those vehicle owners who allow minors to drive. He also informed that any drug seller will be found two times committing crime ,Public safety Act will be recommended for him and first chance will be given him to correct his behaviour .Over the question of police verification for jobs and passports, the SSP said that these services have been brought under the ambit of Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA) by the Government and are to be completed within a stipulated time. “If any official is found delaying the process, the people should bring it to notice of his supervisory officer and the erring officials will be penalised,” he said. The SSP Doda impressed upon the policemen to be sensitive towards the public who visit police stations when they are in distress and said he is regularly organising police Darbar and assured all possible help to the policemen. “I am well aware of the problems and grievances of the subordinates particularly the jawans,” he said and said he has directed the officers to take more and more jawan friendly measures. Chowhan impressed upon the jawans and officers to increase their professional competence by honing their skills in today’s age of transparency and accountability.He also informed that soon in some areas of Doda district traffic will be make one way on many routes for the smooth follow of traffic .He also claimed to have seized thousands of bottles of codeine-based cough syrups, sedativetablets and addictive pain killers from the last one month in Doda district included at Bhaderwah and said Charas come from Kashmir valley via road to Doda district and other drugs came from Jammu and other areas . The immediate need of the hour is awareness about drug addiction,” says Chowhan . “This is a must to prevent people from falling prey (to addiction),” he adds. This can be achieved by community awareness programs in schools, colleges, universities, and through media and soon when colleges and schools will opened after winter vocations we will launch awareness programmes in which debates, seminars, camps and rallies will be organised . SSP Doda also informed that a help line number will also be make available to public where they can inform about the drug mafia and action within a minute will be taken . “If we do not act now the future will be very bleak,” he says. Drug addiction not only loss of character. It is also a disease,” say the SSP . “And people need to realise that it needs medical attention too , like other diseases,” he added .“I have seen cases wherein parents have tried to starve and isolate their wards when they come to know of it. But it only makes the situation worse,” he adds. “Whosoever takes a drug commits a mistake and crime . But then it is compulsion which makes him to do it again,” says SSP . “The addict needs treatment and not banishment and isolation.”He also said big threat to society is from the sellers of drugs in Doda district whom we dealt with iron hand who so ever he will be .Drug Addiction is proving a nuclear catastrophe for our nation. The religious scholars especially the priests of mosques also need to come forward to play a proactive role in curbing this menace. Our younger generation will vanish in tin air if this menace continues, he said .It is noatble to mention here that a recent statistics of the J&K Drug De-addiction Center Srinagar indicate that of the five million Kashmiris, 80,000 people are addicted to narcotics.Experts say that drug addiction is on the rise in the state. Over the past few years Instances of suicides and deaths caused by drug overdose have been coming to the fore. All the concerned voices are pained and worried over the growing drug addiction in Kashmir. A pilot study by a non-governmental organization ‘Concerned About Universal Social Empowerment’ (CAUSE) in which it took a sample of 610 students revealed shocking results. In the study, near about 22 percent graduates, 6 percent post graduates and over 2 percent PhD holders have been found involved in drug addiction.