Jammu, Feb 19:
In a sobering revelation that highlights the gravity of the drug menace in the region, the Jammu and Kashmir Government informed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday that approximately 70,000 individuals are currently battling substance abuse in the Kashmir Valley.
Most alarmingly, the government disclosed that nearly 50,000 of these users are addicted to heroin, with a significant majority consuming the drug through the high-risk intravenous (IV) route.
The Scale of the Crisis
Replying to a question tabled by MLA Javid Riyaz, the Health & Medical Education Department presented data from a comprehensive joint survey conducted in 2022. The survey, covering 10 districts of Kashmir, confirmed that the crisis predominantly affects the youth, posing an unprecedented challenge to social stability and public health.
“Jammu & Kashmir is confronted with the menace of narcotic drugs… posing serious social and public health concerns,” the department stated in its written reply.
Treatment and Recovery: The Statistics
The government outlined an extensive network of de-addiction and rehabilitation centers across the Union Territory. Key highlights include:
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69,000 Patients Treated: Total number of individuals who have accessed rehabilitation services across J&K to date.
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Active Beneficiaries: Currently, 1,864 clients are registered for structured treatment, with 358 active beneficiaries receiving immediate care.
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Free Services: Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST), emergency care, and OPD/IPD services are being provided free of cost at Government Medical Colleges and District Hospitals.
Infrastructure and Future Action
To combat the “white terror” of heroin, the government is scaling up its medical infrastructure:
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Financial Boost: ₹5 crore has been sanctioned for a dedicated de-addiction building at GMC Baramulla.
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Operational Units: Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) are fully functional at GMCs in Anantnag, Handwara, and Srinagar.
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Helpline Assistance: The 104 Helpline has been activated and publicized for immediate counseling and emergency assistance.
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Enforcement: The Drug Control Organization reported conducting 518 awareness programs during the 2025–26 period (up to December) to enforce the Drugs & Cosmetics Act.
A Multi-Pronged Strategy
The administration emphasized that it is not relying on medical treatment alone. Under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, a “systematic effort” is underway involving schools, colleges, and community settings to curb the initial entry of youth into the cycle of addiction.
The government reiterated its commitment to expanding these services into rural and vulnerable areas, ensuring that rehabilitation is not just a city-centric facility but accessible to those in the farthest corners of the Valley.
