Opinion | Addiction and Awareness: A Shared Responsibility

Drug addiction has become an inevitable issue which needs measures to curb the rise of addiction rate, with a new trend of women being used as carriers and consumers of drugs and static rate of rehabilitation. Meanwhile, the crisis of drug addiction is on rise, where people are unable to break the chain of addiction and collective role is awaited to frame policies, finding ways for dedication. However, the involvement of females in carrying and transporting substances such as cannabis and heroin shows a profound concern with an alarming crisis in the society. When the women of a society become involved in such activities, what results can we expect from future generations? After all, when a woman is lost, generations are lost. For instance, a few days ago in a place in the Kashmir region, two women were found in possession of 16 kilograms of cannabis. This recent bust highlights the growing involvement of women in drug addiction and peddling.

Nevertheless, the local community continues to oppose the establishment of rehabilitation centres within residential localities. As an excuse for their opposition, locals argue that such centres might negatively influence the environment in which our youngsters, especially girls, are growing up.In this tough time of addiction, when a large number of individuals across the valley and other regions have fallen into the grip of drugs, we must contribute generously to our society — including towards those struggling with addiction. Without understanding the complete process of addiction, its consequences, and the preventive and rehabilitation measures, we can never contribute meaningfully to the cause. At the primary level, we need to build a sound understanding and then work to challenge the social stigmas attached to drug addicts.

Preventative measures are among the primary steps we should adopt to help our society in addressing the growing challenge of drug addiction. In our communities, many people behave harshly toward those struggling with addiction, even when the person has already quit. This is not a fair or humane contribution to society. Moreover, some relatives unfairly target the parents of addicts, creating emotional distance between families and those suffering. A drug addict often remains detached from discussions and spends less time with family, which deepens this divide.

Parental and Social Contribution:

Parents must educate themselves about drug addiction and understand its nature. Open communication with children—especially adolescents, who are often curious and experimental—is essential. Parents should foster a non-judgmental and open atmosphere at home, particularly for daughters, who might hesitate to share their concerns due to social sensitivity. Emotional support and attentive listening allow parents to notice behavioral or emotional changes early. If there are signs of addiction, seeking counseling or professional guidance can help the child recover in a healthy and understanding environment. Dealing with addiction is complex, and compassionate parental involvement is key to both prevention and healing.In this growing crisis of addiction, both parents and society carry a shared responsibility. Many families, despite knowing about their children’s addiction, hesitate to approach authorities or rehabilitation centres due to fear of stigma and social judgment. This silence often costs lives that could have been saved with timely medical care and counselling. Society, on the other hand, must stop treating addicts as outcasts or their parents as failures. Instead, we need a culture of understanding, where compassion replaces criticism. Parents have to educate themselves about the nature of addiction, its warning signs, and its treatment methods. They should maintain open and honest communication at home, especially with adolescents who are often curious and emotionally unstable. Daughters, in particular, may find it difficult to share their struggles due to social sensitivity, which makes parental patience and non-judgmental support even more essential. At the same time, communities should extend helping hands rather than harsh opinions, encouraging families to seek proper rehabilitation instead of hiding their pain. If both society and parents act together—with awareness, empathy, and cooperation—the fight against drug addiction can turn from despair into a journey of recovery and hope.

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