Srinagar, April 24 -- Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday said the government alone cannot eliminate drug addiction and stressed that parents and the wider community must play a central role in tackling the menace.

"Drug menace has caught hold of us. To get rid of it, until parents and people help us, the government cannot say that addiction will end," Abdullah said, adding that public cooperation is the "biggest factor" in addressing the crisis.

He said collective effort from families and society is essential to reduce the impact of substance abuse. "If people help, the pain of drug addiction will end," he said.

The former chief minister also spoke on political developments, claiming that the Nati...