J&K grapples with rising drug abuse among youth

Jammu, Mar 31: The Government of Jammu & Kashmir on Tuesday acknowledged the growing menace of drug abuse in the Union Territory, stating that the issue—particularly among youth—has emerged as a serious social and public health concern requiring sustained and coordinated intervention.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Sham Lal Sharma in the Assembly, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo said that J&K, like several other regions in the country, is facing the challenge of increasing use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
“It is a fact that the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir is confronted with the menace of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. This challenge has particularly affected a section of the youth, thereby posing serious social and public health concerns,” the Minister informed the House.
The Minister said that a joint survey conducted in 2022 by the Health Department and Social Welfare Department across 10 districts of Kashmir division revealed that around 70,000 individuals are involved in substance use.
“Out of these, nearly 50,000 are heroin users, and a significant number consume drugs through the intravenous route, which raises additional health risks,” she said.
Sakeena Itoo said the government is fully aware of the gravity of the situation and has adopted a comprehensive strategy to combat drug abuse. This includes: awareness campaigns to educate youth and communities about the harmful effects of drugs, preventive interventions at grassroots levels, strengthening enforcement mechanisms to curb supply and expansion of treatment and rehabilitation services. “The government is addressing the issue through a multi-pronged approach, combining prevention, treatment, and enforcement,” she added.
The Minister informed that a wide network of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres has been established across the UT, including in District Hospitals, Government Medical Colleges, and police-run facilities.
“Youth identified as drug dependent are being provided treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation services through these centres,” she said.
According to official figures, around 69,000 patients have so far been treated or rehabilitated across various addiction treatment facilities in J&K.
“These numbers are being regularly documented, and services are being further scaled up under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) and other schemes,” she added.
Providing details of infrastructure, the Minister said: De-Addiction Centres (DDACs): Three functional in Kashmir division (Kulgam, Pulwama, Bandipora) and One functional in Jammu division (Rajouri); Outreach and Drop-In Centres (ODICs): Functional in Kupwara, Srinagar, and Jammu and Community-Based Peer-Led Interventions (CPLI): Operational in Srinagar and Jammu.
“All these institutions are functioning under the supervision of the respective Deputy Commissioners,” she said.
The Minister emphasized that while the government acknowledges the seriousness of drug abuse among youth, institutional mechanisms for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation are already in place and are being strengthened continuously.
“The government remains committed to tackling this issue in a systematic and sustained manner,” she said. (KNO)