With over 10 lakh people affected, the government and civil society must come together to address the root causes of addiction and provide effective treatment and rehabilitation services

Drug addiction is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behaviour and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. In recent years Jammu and Kashmir has seen an exponential increase in drug abuse.
According to official data shared by the Central Government in Parliament, the number of people affected by drug abuse in Jammu and Kashmir has reached nearly 10 lakh, which is around 8% of the total population of Jammu and Kashmir. On 4 August 2023, the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment conveyed to the Parliament of India that approximately 13.50 lakh drug abusers are estimated to be in Jammu and Kashmir, with the majority falling within the age range of 18 to 75 years.
As per the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Jammu and Kashmir has 60,000 drug addicts. In the last three years, there has been an increase of 1500% in the use of drugs. In March 2023, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment stated that approximately one million individuals in the Union territory were grappling with substance abuse. The ministry also revealed that over 50% of these individuals were specifically addicted to opioids.
As per a survey carried out by the Jammu and Kashmir administration last year, over 52,000 individuals in Kashmir acknowledged their heroin usage. The survey findings revealed that, on average, a user spent approximately 88,000 rupees ($1,063.54; £860) per month to sustain their drug habit.
According to the doctors at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Srinagar (IMHANS), there has been a transition observed in drug usage patterns. Specifically, there is a shift away from using medicinal opioids like Codeine, SP, Tramadol, and Tapentadol, towards the more potent and dangerous hardcore drugs, predominantly intravenous (IV) heroin. According to Dr. Yasir Rather, approximately 70% of drug users test positive for HCV at IMHANS.
In 2023, a study conducted by IMHANS revealed that the prevalence of Hepatitis C among drug abusers in Kashmir is 72 percent. The institute received 150 drug addiction cases per day. It also found that over 33 thousand syringes are being used daily for heroin injections. According to IMHANS, on average a heroin addict in Kashmir spends about 90,000 rupees every month.
According to the survey report, treatment and specialist interventions were in short supply. Drug de-addiction centres have been flooded in recent years. Most of the patients that are admitted to these centres are Heroin addicts. In Kashmir, there are limited private institutions, and the region has just two public drug rehabilitation centres situated in Srinagar – one being IMHANS, and the other operated by the police. Additionally, the government has established Addiction Treatment Facility Centres (ATFCs) in every district hospital of the valley. However, ATFCs differ from drug rehabilitation centres as they do not provide admission facilities. Instead, they function as small clinics with one doctor, a counselor, and a nurse, dedicated to treating patients dealing with addiction issues.
Based on official statistics, the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) in Srinagar, a distinguished rehabilitation centre, witnesses an average of 150 fresh drug addiction cases every day. Out of these, approximately 70 cases are returning patients seeking follow-up care, while the rest are entirely new cases. It’s worth noting that around 15 of these daily cases, constituting 10 percent of the total, are teenagers.
According to the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment, in the age group of 10 to 17 years, an estimated 1,68,700 children in Jammu and Kashmir are involved in drug use. The substances being used by these children include Cannabis, Opioids, Sedatives, Cocaine, Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS), inhalants, and Hallucinogens.
It is a well-acknowledged reality that the increasing trend in drug abuse cases has led to a surge in heinous crimes within society. The need for a substantial amount of cash to procure highly sedative drugs has pushed drug abusers to explore illegal means to acquire them, no matter the cost. One of the most concerning ramifications of drug abuse today is the rise in homicide cases, especially among young individuals. It has become commonplace for drug abusers to resort to theft from their families and relatives to sustain their drug addiction. Some addicts resort to burglary and even murder out of desperation and frustration to acquire drugs as many incidents have occurred in the valley since last year. Over time, some addicts become drug peddlers to ensure a continuous cash flow.
In addition to this, Jammu 7 Kashmir Police recently launched a Mission “Clean Up” to fight the drug menace by using ‘human intelligence’ to target drug traffickers and other anti-social elements in Kashmir. The youngsters, who have voluntarily offered their services to the campaign, will serve as ‘stool pigeons’ at schools, colleges, private institutions, gardens, abandoned places and the areas surrounding drug hotspots.
Remedial action plan to counter the drug menace in Kashmir Valley:
Establishment of Drug De-Addiction Centers
The widespread lack of awareness about the existence of drug de-addiction centers highlights the urgent need to operationalize large-scale centers accessible to substance users seeking treatment.
Positive Parental Support
Parents play a pivotal role in keeping their children away from drugs. Unreasonable expectations placed on children by their parents can lead to increased mental distress. When children can’t meet their parents’ expectations, they often turn to drugs to cope with the resulting mental trauma, trapping themselves in the vicious cycle of drug abuse. Parents should provide support to their children and collaborate with them in pursuing careers of their choice, rather than pressuring them into careers they don’t desire.
Community Support
The community can be an effective tool in combating the drug menace, provided it acts as a cohesive unit, vocally opposing the unscrupulous elements.
Role of Police and Administration
Both the Police and Administration can play a vital role in eradicating drug menace from the valley by implementing strict laws against drug addiction.
The challenge ahead is formidable but so is the strength and resilience of the valley. Let us stand united, breaking down the barriers of addiction, and restoring hope, prosperity, and a brighter future for all. Together we can build a valley free from the clutches of drug addiction, where our youth can flourish, and our society can thrive once more.
Remember, it is not just a fight for today but for generations to come. Let us sow the seeds of change now so that our grandchildren can reap the harvest of a drug-free and prosperous valley.
The writer is a student of B.Sc Nursing (3rd Semester) at the Ramzaan College of Nursing, Galandar, Pulwama. He can be reached at [email protected]

Shahid Shafi Rather