Dr. Esther Bloria
estherbloria8@gmail.com
Jammu and Kashmir, long known for its scenic beauty and resilient people, is now grappling with an alarming rise in drug abuse among its youth. Recent surveys and studies conducted across the Union Territory point towards a disturbing reality: substance abuse has quietly emerged as one of the most pressing social challenges in the region.
Experts warn that the vulnerability of young people in J&K is especially high due to a combination of factors. Prolonged political instability, unemployment, easy availability of drugs, and psychological stress have all contributed to the surge. Peer pressure and curiosity, coupled with lack of awareness, further deepen the crisis.
According to reports by health officials, heroin has become one of the most widely abused substances, followed by cannabis, opioids, and pharmaceutical drugs. Alarmingly, the age of initiation is decreasing, with many students being exposed during their teenage years. This not only threatens individual health and prospects but also undermines the social fabric of families and communities.
Doctors at drug de-addiction centers in Srinagar and Jammu note that cases have multiplied over the last few years. Rehabilitation centers are often overcrowded, pointing to both the magnitude of the issue and the shortage of adequate facilities. Mental health professionals also highlight the connection between trauma, anxiety, and drug use, stressing the urgent need for counseling and community-based awareness programs.
Government agencies, law enforcement, and civil society groups have begun mobilizing against the crisis. Awareness campaigns in schools and colleges, stronger border controls to restrict narcotics smuggling, and the expansion of de-addiction services are some of the measures being taken. However, experts argue that the fight cannot be won without community participation. Parents, teachers, and religious leaders must play an active role in guiding the youth and breaking the stigma around seeking help.
A crucial step in addressing this crisis lies in the full implementation of the National Mental Health Care Act, 2017, which is yet to be operationalized in Jammu and Kashmir. This Act provides for the establishment of proper mental health facilities and safeguards the rights of those seeking treatment. If effectively enforced, it could significantly strengthen the mental health infrastructure of the Union Territory, ensuring that vulnerable youth have access to quality psychiatric care, rehabilitation, and community support-essential pillars in the battle against drug addiction.
The rising tide of drug abuse in J&K is not just a health issue but a societal one. Unless urgent, coordinated steps are taken, the youth – once seen as the torchbearers of hope – risk being consumed by this silent epidemic. The fight against drugs in Jammu and Kashmir, therefore, is not merely about law enforcement but about safeguarding the future of an entire generation.
(The author is from Lifeline Psychiatric Social Services and Research Centre)
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