Drug De‑addiction Bill set to be introduced in J&K Assembly

Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Saturday announced that it will try to introduce a bill on drug de‑addiction during the ongoing Budget Session.

Responding to queries raised by MLAs, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Sakina Masood Ittoo, per news agency said the bill is ready and efforts are being made to table it in the current session.

She explained that while the police can prevent the spread of drugs, the Health Department is responsible for treating patients affected by substance abuse.

She added that the Home Department needs to do more to curb the spread of drugs. “There has been an increase in drug abuse in some areas and a decrease in others,” she noted.

The Minister further stated that the government will not allow private drug de‑addiction centres to arbitrarily charge patients.

“If there are any such complaints, bring them to the notice of government,” she told MLAs.—(KNO)