Opinion | Drug Menace is Gripping the Valley Thick & Fast

Drug and substance abuse is a serious problem adversely affecting the social fabric of the country. Kashmir was known for its syncretic traditions, is now beset by a new crisis of drug abuse and is emerging as India’s drug hub. Regarding the drug issue in Kashmir, it’s concerning as I write on the  increasing drug-related problems in the region.  Evidently, drug addiction is becoming a serious concern in Kashmir, devastating the lives of young people.

Addressing addiction and its consequences is a complex challenge that requires concerted efforts from both the government and civil society to provide rehabilitation and support for affected individuals. It’s essential to work together to combat this issue and improve the well-being of the people in Kashmir.
Now as we go by calculus , With 2.5 percent of the population using drugs, Kashmir has emerged as the country’s top-drug-affected region, ahead of Punjab, where 1.2 percent of the population is reportedly addicted to drug abuse. In November 2022, the state-level narcotic coordination committee meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary revealed that at least six lakh residents were affected by drug-related issues in Jammu and Kashmir. On average, INR 88,000 are spent by a drug abuser in the Valley yearly, increasing Kashmir’s crime rate. As I mentioned ,drug addiction is a significant and concerning issue in the Kashmir Valley of India.  To tell you further, Addressing this problem requires a multi-faceted approach, including awareness campaigns, accessible treatment facilities, and efforts to address the social and economic factors contributing to drug abuse.
As per the official figures, the Drug De-addiction Center at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar receives at least 150 drug addiction cases every day. Of 150 cases, 70 cases are follow-up cases and the remaining cases are new. There are also 15 drug addiction cases among teenagers. According to the officials, 95 percent of cases are heroin abusers.
For this complex issue, inadequate infrastructure and manpower are significant challenges. It’s important for the government to invest in improving healthcare infrastructure and providing adequate resources for addiction treatment and rehabilitation to make a meaningful impact on the issue. Additionally, a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, education, and community support is essential for long-term success.
The alarming part of drug abuse, especially among young girls, is indeed a concerning problem in the Valley. The breakdown of centuries old  traditional social control mechanisms due to various factors has contributed to this alarming situation. And also The money to buy drugs tempts these young girls to commit other crimes. Most of these young girls are involved in trafficking  and then create the Nexus , thus increasing the crime .  It’s essential for local authorities and communities to work together to address this issue, provide support and rehabilitation for those affected, and work on restoring cultural and social norms that discourage drug abuse and criminal activities. Collaborative efforts are crucial to tackling this complex problem.
It is believed that Pakistan’s design to create a culture of violence in the Valley is at an all time low with Pak sponsored terrorism at its lowest and also  With arms and terror infiltration becoming difficult, Pakistan has now resorted to peddling drugs to degenerate the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. Narcotics, Pakistan’s new weapon to finance terrorism within the Valley, has been dubbed “the biggest challenge” confronting Jammu and Kashmir by Police Chief Dilbag Singh. According to an article in claws.in,  There have been several instances of narco seizure from militants in Kashmir. Lately, Pakistan seems to push narcotics, especially heroin, to Kashmir directly through the Line of Control. Pakistan has used the Covid situation to manipulate the youth of Kashmir by driving them into the quagmire of narco consumption.
JKP’s claim is constant that the “war against drugs is going on”. Top sleuths acknowledge that “there is a racket that gets these drugs into the Valley from Pakistan, and it’s either sold in J&K or dispatched to other states.” On December 22, 2022, the Jammu and Kashmir Police in Kupwara said they cracked a drug trafficking module that was sourcing drugs from across the Line of Control. So far, 17 people have been arrested including five cops. The police have collaborated with the public to gather intelligence and crack down on drug-related activities. In addition to strict law enforcement, awareness campaigns have been conducted among students, religious groups, and community organizations.  A report published by the Indianmasterminds.com writes , The government has been taking stringent action against drug peddlers and suppliers. In a recent development, the Jammu and Kashmir Police froze bank savings and other financial instruments totalling Rs 18,36,611 belonging to a notorious female drug peddler and her family in Bandipora district. Police records indicate that over 5,000 cases have been registered under anti-narcotics laws between 2019 and 2022.
INITIATIVES:
The Govt of India has launched several initiatives to tackle drug abuse in Jammu Kashmir particular and India in general .  Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan intends to reach out to the masses and spread awareness about substance abuse through various activities like: Awareness generation programmes, Focus on higher educational Institutions, university campuses and school, Reaching out to the Community and identifying dependent population, Focus on counselling and treatment facilities in hospitals and rehabilitation centres that have been geo-tagged, Capacity building programmes for service providers.
Jammu and Kashmir becomes the first Union Territory in the country, after Punjab state, having a comprehensive drug de-addiction policy envisaged to weed out this atrocious menace from the society. UT Level Policy Implementation Monitoring Committee and Jammu and Kashmir Division Level De-addiction Centre Monitoring Committees have been constituted.
The UT level committee has been assigned the task of suggesting changes in the Drug De-addiction Policy from time to time besides looking out for financial support for various de-addiction activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Furthermore , To prevent  drug abuse in Kashmir Valley, we  require a multifaceted approach involving government agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, and individuals. The Govt policy and committees have to fast track their work . Our religious scholars need to take the lead in every mohallas, colony and villages. We need to encourage community based organizations and NGOs to help in curbing this menace. Treatment centres need to be increased in every district. Collectively the Govt, And civil society has to fight this menace.

– The writer is a renowned Political Commentator, Author and Policy Observer. He is the most active TV Panelist from Kashmir on India Pakistan and China