50,000 heroin users among 70,000 addicts in Kashmir: Govt

Jammu, Feb 19: The Government on Thursday informed the legislative assembly that around 70,000 persons, mostly youth, are involved in substance use in Kashmir, out of which nearly 50,000 are heroin users, largely through the intravenous route.
Replying to a Assembly question tabled by MLA Javid Riyaz, the Health & Medical Education Department, said Jammu & Kashmir, like many other regions of the country, is confronted with the menace of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, posing serious social and public health concerns.
The government said, it has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to tackle the issue, including awareness campaigns, preventive interventions, strengthening enforcement mechanisms and expansion of treatment and rehabilitation facilities.
It said that, as per a joint survey conducted in 2022 by the Health Department and Social Welfare Department in 10 districts of Kashmir, around 70,000 persons were found to be involved in substance use.
The reply further said, a network of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres has been established across the Union Territory, including facilities in District Hospitals, Government Medical Colleges, and police-run centres. So far, around 69,000 patients have been provided treatment and rehabilitation services in various addiction treatment facilities across J&K.
The government also informed the house that, free services, including OPD/IPD care, emergency services and Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST), are available at Medical Colleges and District Hospitals through Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs).
“At present, 1,864 clients are registered, with 358 active beneficiaries receiving treatment.”
They added that Mental Health and Addiction Medicine Clinics have been operationalised to provide specialised care, while awareness and IEC campaigns are being conducted under NHM, NMHP, NAPDDR and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in schools, colleges, and community settings.
“The Drug Control Organization is enforcing the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, and has conducted 518 awareness programmes during 2025–26 (till December). Helpline 104 has also been publicised for immediate assistance and counselling,” the government said.
The government further added, that it is committed to strengthening de-addiction counselling and rehabilitation infrastructure, particularly in rural and vulnerable areas. IMHANS Kashmir and Government Medical Colleges are expanding services, while inpatient facilities are being established to provide specialised care.
“Addiction Treatment Facilities at GMC Anantnag, Handwara and Srinagar are fully functional, offering counselling, OST programmes, outreach and referral mechanisms. GMC Baramulla has been sanctioned Rs 5 crore for a dedicated de-addiction building, while Drug Treatment Centres are operational to provide structured treatment and follow-up care.”
The government said, institutional mechanisms for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation are in place and efforts are being strengthened in a systematic manner to address drug abuse among youth in J&K. (KNO)