The menace of drug abuse is assuming massive proportions in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Every now and then police crackdown on drug peddlers and the use of narcotic substances by the young generation is making headlines here.

The drug peddlers of narcotics and pharmaceutical intoxicants have unleashed drug peddling on a large scale in the length and breadth of the State, ruining and shattering families besides the health of these youngsters.

A comparison of the past two years shows that drug peddling is on increase in the State. During the period between January 1 and December 31, 2015 a total of 4282 kilograms of narcotic drugs were seized across the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, 588 cases were registered under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPSA) against 863 persons.

This seizure includes 75.282 kilograms of charas, 101 kilograms heroin/brown sugar, over 2 kilograms of opium and other substances. However, during the period between January 1 and December 31, 2016 the seizure of narcotic drugs was increased to 5393 kilograms. This includes over 180 kilograms of charas, 546 kilograms of fuki, 4161 kilograms of poppy straw, 148 kilograms of brown sugar, 25 kilograms of heroin, 8 kilograms of opium/powder and 133 kilograms of Ganja.

The situation is more alarming as besides these narcotic substances a huge quantity of psychotropic drugs and other sedatives, otherwise used as medication were also seized during this period. 

Moreover, poppy cultivation and distribution of narcotics and psychotropic drugs has become widespread in many districts of the state with many areas in South Kashmir resorting to various kinds of violations.

Notably, the state’s Police have deployed a huge network to keep a vigil on trafficking of narcotics and pharmaceutical drugs. District Pulwama in South Kashmir is known for poppy cultivation. Many a time Revenue and Police authorities have destroyed the standing poppy crops to prevent popularising of drugs.

Still drug trafficking in the State has increased during the year 2016 in comparison of the year 2015.

The trend seems highly disturbing as those involved escape the clutches of law owing to various loopholes.

What is needed is the law enforcing agencies should shun the soft paddling with the culprits. The police and other law enforcing agencies need to get their heads together and frame a policy so that the routes of smuggling drugs and pharmaceutical intoxicants are plugged.

The legislature should also ensure that anti narcotic laws are made more stringent and exemplary punishment has to be given to those who are found prompting the youth in educational institutions to get addicted to drugs.

A deterrent needs to be set so that the future generation is not let to sink into oblivion.

Guest