The proposed introduction of a drug abuse bill in the Assembly during the ongoing budget session is a timely and welcome step. Even though details of the proposed legislation are not yet in the public domain, the intent itself signals that the Government has begun to recognise the scale and urgency of the crisis. However, given the alarming growth of drug addiction and trafficking in recent years, the success of this bill will depend not on its intent but on the strength of its enforcement mechanisms and its ability to attack the problem at both supply and demand levels. Official data presented in the Assembly indicates that over 49,000 drug abuse cases have been registered in J&K since 2022, reflecting the deep penetration of narcotics into society. This figure alone is disturbing, but broader estimates suggest that the crisis could be far more severe. Some reports indicate that there are lakhs of addicts in J&K, highlighting the scale of dependency beyond registered treatment cases. The widening gap between official treatment data and ground estimates underlines a dangerous reality – many addicts remain outside the treatment and monitoring system.
The rising numbers clearly indicate that drug availability remains high. With each passing year, seizures are increasing, arrests are rising, and yet the flow of narcotics continues. Investigations repeatedly point towards well-established smuggling routes, including cross-border networks and interstate supply chains. Cases involving large heroin recoveries and suspected transnational links show that J&K is increasingly vulnerable to becoming a major drug transit and distribution zone. If such trends continue unchecked, the region risks being labelled not just as a consumption zone but as a drug-smuggling hub.
While international trafficking networks fall largely under National security and Central enforcement agencies, the local Government still has a powerful role. Constant vigilance, intelligence-driven seizures, and aggressive prosecution are essential. The role of the Jammu and Kashmir Police is therefore central to the fight against narcotics. Recent improvements in conviction rates in drug cases demonstrate that enforcement can be effective when backed by focused effort and coordination. But enforcement must move from episodic crackdowns to sustained disruption of supply chains.
The proposed bill must therefore focus on three pillars – prevention, enforcement, and rehabilitation. Awareness campaigns alone cannot solve the problem if drugs remain easily available. As long as supply chains remain active, new users will continue to emerge. Mandatory school-level awareness, digital learning modules, and structured counselling education must be part of the legislative framework. Second, India already has stringent laws under the NDPS Act. The real challenge lies in implementation. The new bill must strengthen asset seizure provisions, fast-track trials, and empower agencies to dismantle financial networks behind the drug trade. Demolition or confiscation of properties built with drug money must continue and be institutionalised through transparent legal mechanisms. Drug trafficking must become a high-risk, low-reward crime. Most important is de-addiction, which is a long and complex process requiring medical care, counselling, and social reintegration. Treatment infrastructure exists but needs expansion, accessibility, and long-term follow-up mechanisms. De-addiction cannot be treated as a one-time medical event – it is a sustained social and psychological recovery process.
The bill must also ensure universal access to counselling and treatment. Easy access is crucial because addiction thrives in secrecy and stigma. If treatment is difficult to access, addicts avoid seeking help. Prevention truly becomes the best cure only when early intervention systems are strong. Another key area is coordination. Drug abuse is not just a health issue. It intersects with crime, unemployment, mental health, and sometimes even terror financing. Ultimately, the Government’s seriousness will be judged not by introducing the bill but by how tough and actionable it is. Soft policy language will not solve a hard criminal problem. If the administration is determined to tackle the menace, tough measures -including aggressive supply disruption and mandatory rehabilitation pathways – are the only viable solutions. Drug addiction destroys families, weakens communities, and fuels crime. Nipping the menace at its roots is not just a policy choice – it is a social necessity. The proposed bill offers an opportunity. The message must be clear: Jammu and Kashmir cannot afford to lose future generations to drugs.
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