Breaking the chains
Imagine a small geographical location like that of Jammu and Kashmir which has a significant youth population, estimated at approximately 2.5 million, within a total population and among those numbers more than 14 lakh people have been known to have fallen to the menace of drug abuse.
Official figures as well as those collected by various NGO’s and other groups suggest that the region is contending with a significant drug abuse crisis, with over 14 lakh adults estimated to be using addictive substances.
From substance abuse to using opioids, alcohol and cannabis, the list is long enough to send shivers down the spine. What is more shocking is that close to 2.5 lakh minors too have been known to use drugs.
The scourge of substance abuse has insidiously seeped into the fabric of society, leaving a trail of devastated families and shattered dreams. It’s high time we launch a ardent tirade against this menace.
According to the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India, Jammu and Kashmir has a significantly higher prevalence of substance use compared to the national average. The region’s unique socio-economic context, including unemployment and spread of terrorism for almost three decades has created a fertile ground for addiction to take root.
Ironically, the influx of drugs to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is part of a larger international conspiracy. This was even mentioned by the Lieutenant Governor the other day who maintained that the plot is aimed to jeopardize the future of the youth of Jammu Kashmir.
Drug addiction doesn’t just affect the individual; it ravages families and communities. It fuels crime, violence, and social unrest, further exacerbating the region’s existing security concerns.
The economic burden is equally crippling with healthcare costs and lost productivity draining the region’s resources. The youth, the future of Jammu and Kashmir, are particularly vulnerable. Easy access to prescription medications and heroin, coupled with peer pressure and social media influence, has led to a surge in substance abuse among young people.
This growing phenomenon means that the health and well-being of the youth is jeopardized besides, the region’s development trajectory id derailed. Therefore, the immediate need is to identify the real perpetrators and victims of drug abuse and make committed efforts for their rehabilitation and action against those who propel this trade.
The administration needs to resort to a multi-pronged approach to combat this scourge. Awareness campaigns, like the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, are crucial in educating people about the dangers of addiction and promoting a culture of abstinence.
Since the administration is planning a mega ‘Padyatra’ from MA Stadium, Jammu, on April 11 followed by a similar large-scale launch in Srinagar during the first week of May, such measures need to strengthened further so that the objective of creating awareness about drug abuse reaches its logical end.
The people of the UT too need to understand the ills of drug abuse and every section of the society must join this fight against drug menace.
Equally important is providing support and rehabilitation services to those struggling with addiction. The government and NGOs must work together to establish de-addiction centers, counseling services, and vocational training programs, empowering individuals to rebuild their lives.
The time for action is now and we should not hesitate to break the chains once and for all.
