Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jun 26: Around 1,700 fresh drug addicts visited the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar’s Drug De-Addiction Centre last year.
An official from the Department of Psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), GMC Srinagar, informed that around 1,700 new patients visited the centre between January 2023 and December 2023.
“Between March 2022 and March 2023, a total of 3,036 new drug addicts sought help at the centre’s outpatient department (OPD). Additionally, hundreds of patients on follow-up visits continue to return annually,” he said.
Dr Yasir Hassan Rather, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at IMHANS, GMC Srinagar, said the number of fresh drug addicts visiting the centre is on the decline due to stringent government actions against drug peddlers. “The availability of drugs has decreased, making it less accessible than before,” he said.
Despite the decline, the centre registered 856 new patients last year, with around 70 percent of heroin users suffering from hepatitis.
Dr Rather said that approximately 80 percent of drug abusers use heroin, with many now turning to synthetic heroin. “Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, methadone, pethidine, tramadol, and carfentanil, reduce pain perception and can cause drowsiness, confusion, euphoria, nausea and constipation,” he said.
Dr Yasir called for preventive methods to combat the drug menace. “Preventive methods are essential tools in combating drug abuse. These approaches focus on stopping drug use before it begins and are often more effective and sustainable than dealing with the consequences after it has occurred,” he said.
“While treatment and rehabilitation are vital for those struggling with addiction, preventive strategies aim to address root causes and mitigate risk factors, effectively stopping drug use before it starts,” he added.
Officials stressed the role of religious scholars in eradicating social evils like drug abuse. “Thousands of people listen to religious scholars. If they deliver Friday sermons on the ill effects of drug abuse, they can raise awareness and help parents understand how to interact with their children,” they said.
The Imams and Khateebs can also counsel drug addicts effectively, promoting a ‘forget and accept’ approach to encourage those involved in drug abuse to seek treatment without stigma, the officials added.
