Adolescent drug abuse major concern
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Sept 14: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that the terror ecosystem in Kashmir that was brainwashing children and handing stones in their hands has been decimated.
Addressing two-day workshop on Strengthening of Child Protection System/Mechanisms for Representatives of PRIs/ULBs/Police/SIRD and other stakeholders of J&K, at SKICC, Srinagar, the LG said that for many decades, our children did not get the childhood they deserve.
“Conflict profiteers brainwashed them and handed over stones in their hands. We have decimated that ecosystem and our children now carry laptops, tabs and contribute to nation building,” he added.
He said that the administration is going tough against these “conflict profiteers” and no one will be spared.
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The LG said that the administration is committed to hand over laptops to the children and shape their future. “Post August 2019, all laws that were not applicable to J&K with regard to child protection were made applicable with the result Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) was re-framed, Rehabilitation policy for children was also made,” he said.
“Focus has to be on the institutional care where a child should get home like feeling. The administration will ensure that no child is seen begging or working on streets of J&K,” he added.
Sinha said the “adolescent drug abuse” is one of the major areas of concern, J&K and called upon the public representatives, NGOs, community elders, religious leaders and youth clubs to join the fight against the menace.
“We have adopted a zero tolerance policy against drugs and it is our collective responsibility to raise awareness and strengthen action to realise the vision of drug-free J&K,” he said.
The LG said that the Government has taken several rehabilitation and child care initiatives, adding adoption through joint efforts of the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) and the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) has started that will promote family-based non-institutional care of the children.
The LG highlighted the need to provide homes to the children living in institutional care and in street situation.
“I believe childhood blossoms in a vibrant environment of home, hence institutional care should be the last option,” he said.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary J&K; Sanjeev Kumar Chadha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child Development; Indra Mallo, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child Development; Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare Department and senior officers from Central Government and UT Administration were present.
The inaugural session was attended by PRIs and ULB members, police officials; resource persons, representatives of Juvenile Justice Board, Judiciary, NGOs and other stakeholders.
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