By: Jasib Shabir
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is facing a deepening crisis not of bullets or borders, but of addiction. The drug menace has silently but aggressively taken hold of the region, ensnaring over 13.5 lakh people across its districts. Shockingly this includes 1.68 lakh minors and 95,000 opioid users according to the most recent data.
A December 2022 survey conducted by the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar sheds further light on the gravity of the situation. It revealed that injection drug users in the Kashmir Valley are collectively using up to 33,000 syringes daily a horrifying indicator of the rise in high risk drug practices.
The Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) conducted a separate set of surveys across ten districts of Kashmir, revealing another disturbing pattern: the average heroin addict spends ₹88,000 per month on their habit. A staggering 90% of these addicts fall within the age group of 17 to 33, with the average age being just 28 years. These are our youth the future of Kashmir trapped in a deadly spiral.
While recent awareness campaigns, increased police action, and initiatives under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan have marginally reduced heroin usage in some areas, a new threat has emerged. Officials are now warning of a rapid surge in pharmaceutical and synthetic drug abuse. Drugs like Tapentadol, Tramadol, Pregabalin, and even veterinary medications such as Avilin are being misused at alarming rates. These substances are not only easier to procure but also harder to detect and control, making them a more insidious threat.
Health professionals at IMHANS Srinagar continue to see 5 to 10 new patients every day, most of them young and showing signs of polydrug abuse the use of multiple addictive substances simultaneously. This sharp rise in drug dependency is also leading to 35% increase in injection drug use, exposing users to Hepatitis C, HIV, vein collapse, and fatal overdoses.
Despite these dark statistics, hope persists through collective action. Doctors, law enforcement, and community leaders are coming together to stem the tide. In a commendable initiative, IMHANS recently trained 30 imams and religious leaders under the J&K Waqf Board to carry anti drug messages to their local communities. Their voice, rooted in faith and trust, is crucial in penetrating deep into grassroots society.
On the enforcement front, the Jammu & Kashmir Police remain vigilant. In 2024 alone, they registered 1,539 drug related cases and arrested 2,158 individuals under the NDPS Act. From busting smuggling routes to dismantling dealer networks, their relentless efforts have prevented countless tragedies.
However, this war cannot be fought by the police or health institutions alone. It is a collective responsibility. Parents, teachers, religious leaders, NGOs, and every conscious citizen must rise to protect our youth from this slow death.
Let us not lose a generation to silence. Let us unite to save the future of Kashmir.
(Jasib Shabir is a Social Activist, Founder, Rising Youth and Activist at Save Youth Save Future Foundation & Taleem Haq Hai Humara)
