The Indian Army-sponsored two-day Chinar Open Winter Games is starting today (February 19) in snow-clad Gulmarg, renewing and reaffirming its commitment towardspromoting sports to enhance community interaction and end social evils like the drugs menace, which have left a debilitating impact on Kashmiri youth for decades.

The objective of the February 19–20, 2026 Games is to nurture Kashmir’s emerging talent by promoting winter sports, adventure, endurance and a healthy competitive spirit.

For the UT administration, terrorism and drugs are two major challengesthat require constant and consistent attention. The drugs menace, in particular, has risen to alarming proportions in the last few years, turning a health issue into a socio-economic emergency affecting families and extended communities, shaking the administrative system to its very core.

Recently published health reports reveal that over 2.5 lakh youth in Jammu and Kashmir are victims of some form of substance abuse. This is a distressing statistic showing a generation of youth being on the edge.

From cannabis to heroin and to pharmaceutical drugs like Spasmoproxyvon and Tramadol, all are sold or freely available in districts like Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, and Anantnag.

To prevent devastating impact,........

© Eurasia Review