Stop easy access

The easy availability of drugs in Jammu and Kashmir is one among the reasons that the society has been facing difficulties in its mission of eliminating the drug menace. It has emerged as a serious public health and law-and-order concern. As per the reports, drugs like pregabalin and other NRX medicines, originally meant to relieve pain and neurological disorders, are increasingly being misused by drug addicts. Therefore, the situation needs to be tackled immediately with practical corrective steps. At this juncture, there is a dire need to ensure that every medical shop is equipped with functional CCTV cameras and maintains photocopies of valid prescriptions for pregabalin and similar NRX drugs, which is a necessary safeguard. CCTV surveillance acts as a strong deterrent against illegal sale and creates accountability for pharmacists. When transactions are monitored, the scope for backdoor sales, repeat purchases by addicts, and collusion is significantly reduced. Equally important is the mandatory retention of prescription copies. This simple measure helps verify that medicines are dispensed strictly for genuine medical needs and prescribed by authorised practitioners. It also provides a trail for drug control authorities to audit, investigate suspicious patterns and take timely action against violators. In the absence of such records, enforcement agencies are left chasing shadows while addiction tightens its grip on vulnerable sections, particularly the youth. Pharmacists are the first line of defence in this battle and their role must go beyond commerce to ethical responsibility. At the same time, authorities must ensure regular inspections and strict penalties for non-compliance. Stopping addicts from accessing these medicines unlawfully is aimed at protecting families, saving lives and safeguarding the future of society.