Opinion | Drug Addiction: A Looming Shadow Over The Valley

Kashmir valley has always been a hotspot for a number of reasons, be it politics, culture, insurgency, sports or any other aspect. However, of late Kashmir is currently caught in the whirlpool of drug addiction, and has pushed the valley into the dark abyss. The Pandora’s box is open now. This is a cause of concern for the government as well as for the public. The menace of drug addiction has delved deep into the social fabric of the valley, and its repercussions have fractured the social structure of society.

Now the situation is alarming as we are experiencing a deadly wave of Drugs. Apparently, this wave is skyrocketing, tumbling down the foundations of society in ruins. These drugs are like Nuclear Arsenals that are collapsing the roots of the young generation. This is just a tip of the Iceberg. The Inculcation of drugs is meant to lambast the conscience and revolutionary mindset of youth. It is a religious theft. It is a moral theft. It is an intellectual theft and whatnot. Thereby making them antagonistic and religiously ill. The target is set now to zero the youth from all fronts and distract them from their ‘Core Commandments.’ Our youth is sinking in the sea of troubled waters and it is now very difficult to salvage them from this deadly wave. Once this drug is consumed, then the youth is under the mercy of death and under its effect they will malign the Status of pious relationships. The rising crime rate in society is directly correlated with drug addiction. The father, mother and all kiths and kin will come under its scathing attack.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment revealed in the Lok Sabha that nearly 10 lakh people in J&K consume various kinds of drugs. The population of J&K, according to the 2011 census, is 1.25 crore. The figures reveal that estimated 1, 08,000 males and 36,000 females were found using marijuana (Cannabis) in the Union Territory (UT) while as 5, 34,000 males and 8,000 females were found in the dragnet of Opioids and 1,60,000 males and 8,000 females were found using sedatives of different kinds. The Government further informed that, 1, 27,000 males and 7,000 females were noticed using inhalants and a large number of males and females were addicts of cocaine, Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) and Hallucinogens in the J&K, it added.
According to a study by IMHANS-K, 33.50% of married drug users and 61.70% of unmarried drug addicts in Kashmir are both adults, showing that drug addiction affects not only children but also the elderly. The Universities, colleges and other educational institutions are hit hard by drug addiction. This addiction robs the young generation from their senses and its influence has jolted the career of thousands of students of the valley. Their minds are now encumbered and clogged. The morality, ethics and values of the student community is marred by the consumption of drugs. It is ultimately a midnight raid on society. Drug addiction has resulted in multiple social problems such as crime, violence, and the deadlock of family systems. The ill effects of this heinous problem can’t be avoided and ignored. Recently, a young boy brutally killed his mother under the influence of drugs. Another person attacked the people with the wooden log, killed three persons, including his mother and injured several persons. These tragedies sent shock waves across the valley.
The sudden rise in drug addiction in Kashmir is due to multiple factors, including Divine detachment, unemployment, peer pressure, lack of recreational facilities, and the overall conflict situation. The government is trying its utmost to nab the drug dealers but at the end of the day these culprits are enjoying the hassle free environment. They are transporting this venom in the broad daylight devoid of any blockade.
The poetic couplet of Shahab Jafri fits the situation:
Tu Idhar Udhar Ki Na Baat  Kar…Ye Bata Ki Kafila Kyun Luta
Mujhe Rehzanoon Ka Gilah Nahin…Teri Rahbari Ka Sawal Hai
The Government, civil society must work shoulder to shoulder and should take concrete and joint efforts in order to wipe the menace of drug addiction. The government must adopt the iron fist approach and to cordon the drug traffickers and suppliers so that it can be uprooted at earliest. The civil society and rehabilitation centres should come forward and to organize workshops, seminars and programmes in Universities, Colleges and other educational institutions and to make everyone aware about the ill effects of drug addiction. Let us foster a culture of compassion, understanding and empathy, reinforcing the importance of family bonds and community support. Together, we can create an environment where our youth feel valued, heard and understood.
The challenge ahead is formidable, but so is the strength and resilience of the valley. Let us stand united, breaking down the barriers of addiction, and restoring hope, prosperity, and a brighter future for all. Together we can build a valley free from the clutches of drug addiction, where our youth can flourish, and our society can thrive once more
Remember, it is not just a fight for today but generations to come. Let us sow the seeds of change now, so that our grandchildren can reap the harvest of a drug-free and prosperous valley. The important Precept that will counter this deadly arsenal is the Divine Decree. The remembrance of Almighty is a cure to both visible existence (body) and invisible entity (soul). The Parents have prominent responsibility to keep a close vigil on their wards and encourage them for Divine attachment. They should exhibit love, sympathy and moral support towards their wards. This ailment needs a Spiritual Dose. It is high time to disseminate the divine decree otherwise lamentation and loud wailings will be the fate of the Valley.
The budding poet wrings her soul with myriad paroxysms
In shadows deep, addiction’s grasp entwines,
Valley’s youth lost, in troubled waters ‘brine,
Divine Decree, a cure to heart and mend,
Together we stand this battle we’ll transcend.
– The author is a resident of Koil Pulwama. Feedback, if any, can be shared at s.mudasir267@gmail.com