In the picturesque yet politically fragile Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, a public health crisis is growing quietly but rapidly—drug addiction. Despite government initiatives and public awareness campaigns, the problem continues to spiral out of control, disproportionately affecting the region’s youth.
Official data paints a grim picture. As per figures shared by the Central Government in Parliament, nearly 10 lakh individuals—around 8% of J&K’s population—are affected by drug abuse. The 2023 report by the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment puts the number even higher, estimating approximately 13.5 lakh drug users across the UT, including adolescents and young adults. These alarming numbers signal a deep-rooted crisis that existing policies have failed to address effectively.
A Complex Web of Causes
The rise in substance abuse in J&K is not accidental. It is rooted in a blend of economic distress, social pressures, and long-standing political instability. Unemployment is rampant, especially among educated youth. In a region where securing a job is not only a means of livelihood but also a marker of social status and marital eligibility, the stress can be overwhelming. Drugs, in such a context, become both a coping mechanism and an escape route.
Peer influence and the glamorization of recreational drug use have also contributed to the crisis. In urban and semi-urban areas, the access to narcotics—particularly heroin and synthetic drugs—has increased alarmingly. Social media platforms, often unchecked, have become breeding grounds for promoting drug culture among impressionable minds.
Compounding the problem is the psychological burden borne by the youth in Kashmir. Decades of conflict have left a lasting impact on their mental health. Regular exposure to violence, uncertainty, and militarization has led to widespread anxiety, depression, and trauma. Yet, mental health care remains grossly inadequate. Most schools and colleges lack trained counsellors. Even when mental health services exist, they are often underutilized due to stigma or lack of awareness.
Career counselling, where it exists, is generally one-dimensional—largely limited to pushing students towards competitive exams like NEET and JEE. This approach ignores the diverse talents and aspirations of young people, adding to their sense of alienation and hopelessness.
Systemic Shortcomings in Rehabilitation
Although the government has established drug de-addiction centres at district headquarters, awareness about these facilities remains abysmally low. Most families are unaware of where to turn when a loved one falls into the grip of addiction. The existing awareness campaigns—under initiatives like Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan—tend to focus on the surface-level ill effects of drug use: health risks, family distress, and financial burdens. What they lack is depth. Little is said about the road to recovery, the availability of legal aid, or the emotional support that families need during rehabilitation.
Adding to the confusion is the rise of unregulated NGOs and self-styled de-addiction “experts.” Many such entities operate without any formal training or clinical knowledge. Their workshops and seminars often lack scientific grounding and psychological insight. Far from helping, these efforts dilute the seriousness of the issue and sometimes even lead to misinformation.
A Fractured Response to a Deep Crisis
The absence of a unified, evidence-based strategy is among the biggest failings of the current approach. Tackling drug addiction cannot be reduced to occasional seminars and poster campaigns. What is needed is a multi-pronged strategy backed by trained professionals—doctors, psychologists, social workers, and law enforcement agencies. Rehabilitation should be viewed as a medical and psychological necessity, not a moral correction.
Schools, too, must become part of the solution. Age-appropriate mental health education should be introduced to teach emotional resilience, decision-making, and healthy coping mechanisms. However, caution is vital. At the primary and middle school levels, poorly structured awareness programs can backfire, potentially triggering curiosity instead of deterrence.
Equally important is the need to address the legal implications of drug use. Legal literacy should be an essential component of all awareness campaigns. Most young people are unaware that possession, consumption, or distribution of narcotics can lead to severe criminal charges. Understanding the law can act as a powerful deterrent.
A Call for Coordinated Action
Drug addiction in Jammu and Kashmir is not merely a health concern; it is a socio-economic and psychological emergency. Treating it requires more than just slogans and symbolic campaigns. What’s needed is coordinated action—bringing together educational institutions, healthcare providers, law enforcement, civil society, and most importantly, the youth themselves.
Addiction must be viewed not as a moral failure but as a public health issue requiring compassion, expertise, and sustained engagement. The fragmented efforts of today will only yield more damage tomorrow. A shift from half measures to a holistic, professional, and inclusive policy is the need of the hour.
Only then can Jammu and Kashmir hope to reclaim its future from the shadows of addiction.
(Note: Rayees Masroor is an independent columnist, counselor, and academician based in Kupwara, Kashmir. He writes extensively on social and youth-related issues. He can be reached at rayeesmasroor111@gmail.com.)
