Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jan 20: At a time when drug abuse continues to pose a serious social and public health challenge in Kashmir, addiction treatment centres across the Valley are increasingly emerging as vital support systems and rays of hope for individuals trapped in substance dependency.
Health experts and officials said these centres, despite limited infrastructure, are playing a critical role in treatment, counselling and rehabilitation of drug abusers, many of whom are young and vulnerable.
Officials associated with the Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) at District Hospital Kulgam said that since its establishment, the centre has registered 2,109 patients, reflecting the magnitude of the crisis as well as the growing trust in institutional treatment. Of these, 112 new patients were registered in 2025 alone, while the facility recorded an impressive 18,835 follow-up visits during the same year, indicating sustained engagement with those undergoing treatment.
Similarly, the ATF at Shopian has also witnessed a steady rise in footfall. Officials said 713 patients have been registered so far, with around 100 new patients enrolled in 2025, underlining the expanding reach of addiction treatment services in south Kashmir.
Doctors working at these centres revealed alarming trends in substance use. “Nearly 95 per cent of the patients visiting the ATFs are opioid users, predominantly heroin,” they said, adding that around 70 per cent of these heroin users are intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs). This puts them at a high risk of life-threatening infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
In addition to opioids, doctors noted a growing abuse of Pregabalin, a prescription drug often misused for its sedative and euphoric effects. “The misuse of pharmaceutical drugs alongside heroin is a disturbing trend and complicates treatment,” a senior doctor said.
Data from the centres indicate that the 15–40 age group constitutes the majority of drug abusers seeking treatment.
Experts attribute this to a combination of peer pressure, easy availability of drugs, unemployment, stress and imitation or ‘modelling’ behaviour.
“Most of these young individuals start experimenting casually, but addiction sets in quickly,” doctors explained. “Without timely intervention, it destroys not just the individual but entire families.”
While the number of patients visiting treatment centres is increasing, doctors stressed that this represents only a fraction of the actual problem. “Those who come to us are just the tip of the iceberg,” they said, pointing out that social stigma and fear of judgment prevent a large number of addicts from seeking professional help.
“Despite repeated efforts to project addiction as a medical condition rather than a moral failing, stigma continues to dominate societal attitudes,” doctors said. “Many families prefer silence over treatment, which often worsens the condition.”
They added that although the availability of drugs has shown some decline due to enforcement measures, “much more needs to be done to cut supply chains and address demand through education and awareness.”
Health experts emphasised the role of families in the recovery process. “Family support is not optional—it is essential,” doctors said. “Patients who receive emotional, psychological and moral backing from their families show far better recovery outcomes.”
“The reassurance that they are not alone, that their families believe in them, often becomes the strongest motivation to quit drugs,” they added, urging parents to remain vigilant, engage openly with their children and educate them about the dangers of substance abuse.
Doctors appealed to society at large to adopt a more compassionate approach. “Addiction should be viewed through the lens of empathy, not judgment. Only then will affected individuals feel safe enough to seek help without fear of social exclusion,” they said.
Experts called for establishing Indoor Patient Department (IPD) facilities in every district, stating that many severe cases require supervised detoxification and round-the-clock medical care, which is currently unavailable in some districts.
“There is also an urgent need to launch large-scale awareness campaigns, especially in schools and colleges,” doctors said, stressing that teachers and educational institutions must be actively involved in identifying early signs of substance abuse and guiding students toward counselling and treatment.
“With better infrastructure, manpower and outreach, ATF centres can significantly scale up their impact,” experts said.
The gravity of the drug abuse crisis in Jammu and Kashmir can be understood by the report of the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment, which estimates that there are around 14 lakh drug abusers, with over 5 lakh people in the Union Territory using opioids, including 95,000 children in the 10–17 age group.
According to the report, among 1,68,700 minor drug abusers, around 95,000 use opioids, 46,000 inhalants, 19,000 sedatives, 8,000 cannabis, while smaller numbers use cocaine, amphetamines and hallucinogens.
The report also estimates 11.8 lakh adult drug abusers (18–75 years), with 4.47 lakh opioid users, 3.54 lakh alcohol users, 1.51 lakh sedative users, 1.36 lakh cannabis users, and significant numbers abusing inhalants and other substances.
Despite the grim statistics, doctors believe addiction treatment centres represent a crucial turning point in Kashmir’s fight against drugs. “These centres are proof that recovery is possible,” they said. “With community cooperation, family involvement and stronger government support, they can truly transform lives and safeguard the future of our youth.” (KNO)
