DODA , DEC 21--- Offering a ray of hope to drug addicted youth, Doda Police is sending addicted youth to police drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centre Srinagar for proper treatment and starts operation clean up . DySP Headquarters Doda Iftikhar Ahmad who is District Nodal Officer of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation unit Doda said addiction is just a disease and after appropriate treatment, a drug addict is bound to recover fully and appealed to the people to help the Doda police in curbing the drug menace and getting the victims admitted to de-addiction centres. He said that fighting the menace is the moral duty of everyone, so people should help the police in whatever they can.“We are committed to public welfare and we urge people to inform us if they suspect any illegal activity in connection with drugs addiction around their area or locality ,” said , DySP Headquarters Doda Iftikhar Ahmad.In an Exclusive Interview with KASHMIR NEWS OBSERVER (KNO) DySP Headquarters Doda Iftikhar Ahmad exhorted the youth to steer clear of the addiction to contrabands while warning them of the dreaded consequences such addiction entails.He said that the drug addiction is spreading its tentacles among the youth spells danger to the society as a whole in Bhaderwah , Doda and other parts of Doda district . “Cyber crime coupled with addiction to narcotics has presented a grim challenge to one and all. Awareness is thus a must to have these evils eradicated,” he said."We frequently lay nakas on main roads and link roads. We keep an eye on each vehicle and pedestrian. Many times we have to work hard to detect the hidden drugs . On other occasions, it becomes easier for us when people carrying the contraband start fearing and running after watching the police. This has become a part of our job. We can smell the criminal," police officer said.He informed that Doda Police had launched awareness for rehabilitating drug addicts and they send drug addicts to Police rehabilitation center Kashmir and Doda Police is also going to launch a special project for drug addicts .The project is similar to the programme started by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) to rehabilitate the injectable drug users, he said . Dy SP said the a special task force (STF), was formed to eliminate the drug menace in Doda district which is working under over all command of SSP Doda Mohd Shabir .He said there are four types of drug abusers in Doda district and its peripheries with insulin users marking a steady increase over the past couple of years which is "most dangerous".The first category is of those who are using prescribed drugs like capsules, tablets, injections and cough syrups and mostly transporters are involved in it, he said adding charas and ganja, which is smuggled from outside and inside state to Doda district . "Doda Police have recorded a remarkable achievement in their drive against drug peddlers and seized the biggest haul of drugs this year, worth crores of rupees in the international market.He said a large chunk of population was suffering from drug addiction making it a very serious issue.“Parents need to keep a close watch on their wards to ensure that they do not fell prey to the menace which is growing alarmingly,” he said and asked the victims to come forward, assuring all possible help at the drug de-addiction centre.It is notable to mention here that being a Nodal Officer of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation unit Doda Dy SP headquarter had launched awareness campaigning through seminars , debates , meetings and social media (KNO)