Strict action needed
Not even a single day passes when newspapers do not report arrest of drug peddlers in Jammu and Kashmir. On an average four people are arrested on daily basis and recovery of drugs and substances is also reported by the police.
The daily arrest and recovery of drugs from these peddlers indicates that youth in Jammu and Kashmir are falling to the menace of drug abuse. The menace of drug abuse is assuming massive proportions and the authorities and people as a society have failed to come out with a solution.
The drug peddlers of narcotics and pharmaceutical intoxicants have unleashed drug peddling on a large scale in the length and breadth of the region, ruining and shattering families besides the health of these youngsters.
A comparison of the past few years shows that drug peddling is on increase in Jammu and Kashmir. During the period between January 1 and December 31, 2018 a total of 4282 kilograms of narcotic drugs were seized across Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, nearly 600 cases were registered under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPSA) against 900 persons.
This seizure includes 75.282 kilograms of charas, 101 kilograms heroin/brown sugar, over 2 kilograms of opium and other substances. However, during the period between January 1 and December 31, 2016 the seizure of narcotic drugs was increased to 5393 kilograms. This includes over 180 kilograms of charas, 546 kilograms of fuki, 4161 kilograms of poppy straw, 148 kilograms of brown sugar, 25 kilograms of heroin, 8 kilograms of opium/powder and 133 kilograms of Ganja.
The situation is more alarming as besides these narcotic substances a huge quantity of psychotropic drugs and other sedatives, otherwise used as medication-were also seized during this period.
Moreover, poppy cultivation and distribution of narcotics and psychotropic drugs has become widespread in many districts of the state with many areas in South Kashmir resorting to various kinds of violations.
Notably, the police have deployed a huge network to keep a vigil on trafficking of narcotics and pharmaceutical drugs. District Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam in South Kashmir is known for poppy cultivation. Many a time Revenue and Police authorities have destroyed the standing poppy crops to prevent popularizing of drugs.
Still drug trafficking in the State has increased during the year 2016, 17 and even the current year as compared to previous years like 2015.
The trend seems highly disturbing as those involved escape the clutches of law owing to various loopholes.
What is needed is the law enforcing agencies should shun the soft paddling with the culprits. The police and other law enforcing agencies need to get their heads together and frame a policy so that the routes of smuggling drugs and pharmaceutical intoxicants are plugged.
A deterrent needs to be set so that the future generation is not let to sink into oblivion.
KV Network
