The anti-drug campaign launched by the administration, which ran for over 100 days across the Union Territory, appears to have been a remarkable success, judging by the overwhelming response it received from the public. Members of civil society, religious leaders, educational institutions and ordinary citizens came together in a rare display of unity against a menace that threatens the very future of Kashmir. It was one of those uncommon moments when the government and the people walked together for a common cause.The campaign also drew unprecedented support from religious institutions. From the pulpits of mosques, temples and gurdwaras, religious leaders joined hands with the administration in spreading awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, particularly among the youth. Such unanimity across faiths in support of a government initiative is rare in Kashmir and deserves recognition.The movement was led personally by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who travelled extensively across almost every district of Jammu and Kashmir to create awareness about the growing menace of narcotics. At every stop, he was greeted by large gatherings of people, cutting across political affiliations and religious beliefs, who pledged their support for the campaign. It was perhaps the first time in recent history that a government-led initiative of this nature generated such widespread public........

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