Two weeks ago, the vigilant police at the Salamabad cross LoC trading point seized large quantity of drugs hidden in a truck coming from Muzaffarabad. The consignment was to be handed over to a person in Baramulla. The question that arises in connection with this event is that obviously this huge quantity of drugs was meant to be consumed mostly in the State and may be partly transshipped to other adjacent States. This is alarming news. Reports say that there is massive increase in drug abuse in Kashmir. Experts say that predominant abuse is medicinal opioids, which include Spasmo-proxy vom capsules, Codeine phosphate syrups and Benzodiazepine tablets while abuse of cannabis, alcohol and solvents is showing an alarming trend. Reliable statistics show that in the last two years, 3864 patients have been treated in the four drug de-addiction centers across Kashmir. Srinagar topped the list of substance abusers with 2260 cases followed by 610 in Jammu while as 603 and 391 patients were treated in the de-addiction centers of Anantnag and Baramulla,
It is true that the drug de-addiction centres are trying to treat the drug addicts as they should be but owing to increasing number of the drug addicts adequate infrastructure is needed to cope with the huge demand for treatment by the psychiatrist. Maybe, the Government will come out with more support for the treatment for drug de-addiction, but the fundamental question is that drug addiction has to be controlled at the very origin which is the home and the family. Generally kids left uncared for or unattended or not handled psychologically show more trend to go wayward when grown up. Therefore the primary place where addiction is to be controlled is the home and the family. It could be highly advantageous if the Department of Health floated a scheme of educating the parents and elders in a household how to respond to the urges of the kids and not allow them any chance of growing in wayward circumstances. The kids receive first lessons of disciplined life in their homes. Therefore, counselling of parents becomes an important issue and the department of health must pay attention to this need.
Follow our WhatsApp channel