Raqif Makhdoomi
Jammu and Kashmir has lost the fight against drug addiction. It now tops the list of Union Territories with the highest number of drug addicts. Around 13.5 lakh people are involved in substance abuse, which means nearly 8% of the total population is affected. We have officially reached a stage where we can no longer use the word “if.” Our vocabulary has shifted to “if not done.” It is high time that decisive action is taken, or we shall lose the generations to come.
A few years back, it was difficult to find a drug addict. Today, it is common to see one walking beside you. There was a time when drugs were consumed in secrecy, under the cover of darkness. Now, consumption happens openly. The shame once associated with addiction has faded away. When confronted, many respond, “We buy drugs with our own money; you have no right to stop us.” These words are enough to leave anyone speechless. The age group of addicts now ranges from 17 to 75 years, and both genders are equally involved.
A critical question that needs to be asked is: How are drugs so easily available? Not only are they accessible, but they are also available in such abundance that users can supply others as well. Addicts use coded language to communicate. Phrases like “Bachav Ya” are used to request drugs, while expressions like “Ye chu tich karith” or “Ye chu line karith” indicate that someone has consumed heroin. They even use sign language to communicate discreetly.
While Jammu and Kashmir leads among Union Territories in drug addiction, it also records one of the highest numbers of cases registered under the NDPS Act.
Statistics of NDPS Cases in Jammu and Kashmir
As of September 2025, 1,342 NDPS cases were registered in J&K, with 1,305 chargesheets filed in court. In the Kashmir Valley alone, around 1,000 cases were registered and nearly 1,400 people were arrested in 2025, with properties worth over ₹70 crore attached. The Government of India informed the Rajya Sabha that 2,232 NDPS cases were registered in J&K in 2023—the highest among Union Territories.
In 2025, 81 properties worth ₹16.64 crore were attached, and 215 detentions were made under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in NDPS Act (PITNDPS). Additionally, 222 hotspots were identified, 44 demolished, and 1,350 individuals placed under active surveillance.
Despite these efforts, drugs remain easily accessible. The loopholes must be identified. Drug dealers must be curbed more aggressively than addicts. Addiction levels cannot decline unless supply chains are dismantled. We need to “hold the snake by its head.” This is not the time to trim branches; we must uproot the entire tree.
Over 160 kg of heroin was seized in 2021. Between 2019 and 2021, nearly 400 kg of heroin was seized in J&K. In 2023–2024, enforcement agencies intensified efforts to disrupt smuggling networks, seizing heroin worth hundreds of crores. In late 2024 and early 2025, Jammu Police recovered over 28 kilograms of heroin in multiple cases, with an estimated market value exceeding ₹129 crore.
Drugs Commonly Used in Jammu and Kashmir
Heroin remains the primary drug of choice. What is alarming is how easily it is available—every addict seems able to access it without difficulty. Most addicts report that they have never faced a shortage of heroin; all they need is money.
Cannabis also remains widely used in Kashmir. Charas, in particular, is often perceived by some as a means of achieving spiritual experiences, which has normalized its use in certain sections of society.
Other substances commonly abused include buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, and combinations like buprenorphine with naloxone. Tramadol pills are also widely misused. Pregabalin and clonazepam are frequently abused, along with crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as crystal meth), which is among the most addictive drugs.
There are cases where addiction has crossed unimaginable limits. Some individuals resort to extreme and dangerous practices, using harmful substances in unconventional ways. These realities are deeply disturbing and highlight the severity of the crisis.
Reasons for Drug Addiction
In Jammu and Kashmir, one of the major causes of drug addiction is unemployment. The rising rate of unemployment has contributed significantly to the growing addiction crisis. Other factors include peer pressure, social circles, family stress, environmental influences, social conditioning, biological factors, and early childhood trauma.
Family plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s path. Neglect, instability, or lack of guidance can push individuals toward addiction. Certain vulnerable areas also tend to emerge as hotspots for substance abuse.
Indicators of Drug Addiction
Like any other condition, drug addiction presents visible symptoms. These include a sense of euphoria or feeling “high,” red eyes, dry mouth, unusual food cravings, lack of attention, loss of interest in work, increased alertness, behavioral changes, aggression, poor judgment, hallucinations, intolerance to noise, insomnia, involuntary eye movements, and irregular heartbeats.
Different drugs produce different symptoms, but common indicators include anger issues, behavioral changes, altered eating habits, red eyes, dizziness, and insomnia.
Conclusion
Drug addiction often leads to death. It severely damages vital organs, including the kidneys, and overdose remains a major cause of fatalities. Addiction often begins with the thought, “Let me try once,” but ends in tragedy.
Jammu and Kashmir has no option but to tackle this crisis on a war footing. If immediate and effective measures are not taken, we risk losing an entire generation.
