Tirade against drug abuse
The tirade against drug abuse and its promoters initiated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha across Jammu and Kashmir is an initiative that was overdue.
The past few days since the tirade was kickstarted on April 11 in Jammu not only have dozens of drug dealers been apprehended but a message is going down to the lowest levels that those involved in this menace in any way won’t be spared now.
Jammu and Kashmir has been grappling with the drug menace since past many years now. Officials estimate that over 13.5 lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir are affected by substance abuse, raising serious concerns about the region’s social and public health landscape.
Besides, the drug abuse has proved to be a major cause for social discord in the region as family values and mutual respect too has fallen apart.
What has alarmed experts and policymakers alike is the disproportionate impact on the youth. A majority of those affected fall in the 17–35 age group, making addiction not just a health issue but a generational challenge with long-term consequences.
Over the years, the nature of substance abuse in the Valley has undergone a worrying shift. Medical professionals note that dependence on pharmaceutical opioids has increasingly given way to heroin use, which is cheaper, more accessible and significantly more addictive. This transition has accelerated the spread of addiction, with many users slipping quickly into dependency.
Healthcare institutions are witnessing the fallout first hand. De-addiction centres, particularly in Srinagar, are reporting a steady rise in patients seeking treatment, including a growing number of first-time users as well as relapse cases. Doctors say the crisis is no longer confined to any single section of society, but is affecting students, labourers and even school-going children.
The drug abuse starts initially with minors often falling for the tobacco trap. The easy availability of cigarettes even outside schools and colleges is making its availability even to those who are too young to determine its ill impact.
As is pointed out by the data provided by healthcare professional, a rising number of minors have been found involved in substance use. Estimates suggest that over one lakh adolescents are engaged in drug use, with many already dependent on opioids—an indicator of how deeply the problem has penetrated communities.
This being the reason that the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has termed drug abuse one of the biggest challenges facing the Union Territory and has launched a 100-day ‘war against drugs’, targeting both addiction and the supply chain of narcotics.
He called for a zero-tolerance approach against drug peddlers, warning of stringent action including property seizure, financial crackdowns and dismantling of networks involved in the trade.
Notably, thousands of awareness programmes were conducted in recent years which have helped bring the issue into the open, encouraging more individuals and families to seek help. This shift is reflected in increased reporting and higher footfall at treatment facilities—seen by experts as a positive sign in tackling stigma.
At the same time, the government needs to strengthen the rehabilitation infrastructure by expanding de-addiction centres and improving access to counselling and recovery services. The focus should not only be on enforcement but also on prevention and long-term rehabilitation.
The battle against drugs is as much about social awareness and community involvement as it is about policing. For many, the fight is no longer just about numbers—it is about reclaiming lives and securing the future of a generation.
