Curbing substance abuse
Though a lot is being done to curtail the substance abuse among the people in Kashmir valley still lot needs to be done so that the menace is curbed to the desired levels.
The reports about arrest of drug peddlers in Jammu and Kashmir almost get daily space on our media be it the traditional one or even the social media. 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 need to work out 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. 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 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 UT has increased during the year 2016, 17 and even the current year as compared to previous years. 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 need to get more tough on 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. This is needed quite badly as lot of youngsters are falling victim to the substance abuse and that too during these covid times when the younger generation has faced lot of mental stress and anxiety.
The situation needs to be tackled meticulously so that a point is reached where we can boast of controlling the menace to some extent. We all need to work together on this as neither the law enforcing agencies nor the authorities can single handedly take on this massive task.
The effort has to be a collective one as our future generations are at stake.
KV Network
