The widespread issue of drug addiction has reached global proportions, and Kashmir is no exception. Prolonged turmoil, high unemployment rates, and economic uncertainty have exacerbated the situation, significantly impacting both brain function and behavior. This alarming social problem is rapidly affecting a large segment of Kashmir’s population.

Rising Drug Abuse in Kashmir

Drug abuse in Kashmir is rampant, with the main rehabilitation facility in Srinagar reporting a 2660% increase in patients seeking treatment since 2016, primarily for heroin addiction. The number of individuals requiring help is twice the national average. Addicts span all socioeconomic backgrounds, from the rich to the poor, employed to unemployed, and are overwhelmingly young.

Kashmir: Emerging as a Drug Hub

The Kashmir Valley is slowly becoming a drug hub in Northern India, with more than 67,000 drug abusers, of which 90% are heroin addicts. The rise in substance abuse presents serious challenges to public health and social stability.

Statistics on Drug Use in Jammu and Kashmir

According to a February 2019 report from the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) at AIIMS, approximately 600,000 individuals in Jammu and Kashmir were reported to be using drugs, accounting for nearly 5% of the entire population. The report also indicated that 4.91% of the population were opioid users, with 0.62% showing dependency on these substances.

Recent Survey Findings

A survey by the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Srinagar (IMHANS), across 10 districts of Kashmir, found that 2.8% of the population in Kashmir had abused substances, with 52,404 individuals currently dependent on drugs. The study revealed that 25% of unemployed youth are involved in substance abuse, with addicts spending approximately 88,000 rupees per month procuring heroin.

The Overwhelming Strain on Healthcare

As reported by the BBC in June 2023, the doctors at IMHANS are overwhelmed with patients from across Kashmir. While some drug users have voluntarily admitted themselves, others have been brought by their families. Most patients are men, though there are a few women as well. This grim picture of drug abuse in the Kashmir Valley presents numerous challenges for the general population, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations alike.

Challenges in Addressing Substance Abuse

Insufficient awareness regarding drug addiction, as well as the lack of knowledge about detoxification and rehabilitation procedures, poses a significant challenge to addressing the issue.

Kashmir Online’s Mission

Kashmir Online is dedicated to providing access to rehabilitation programs, counseling services, support groups, and educational initiatives aimed at prevention and intervention for people struggling with substance abuse. We also focus on advocating for policies and initiatives that address the root causes of substance abuse and promoting greater access to treatment and support services for those in need.