SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 19 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly that around 70,000 persons, mostly youth, are involved in substance use in Kashmir, of whom nearly 50,000 are heroin users, largely through the intravenous route.
Replying to a question by MLA Javid Riyaz, the Health and Medical Education Department said Jammu and Kashmir, like many other regions, is facing the growing menace of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, posing serious social and public health concerns, according to Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
The government said it has adopted a multi-pronged strategy, including awareness campaigns, preventive interventions, stronger enforcement and expansion of treatment and rehabilitation facilities.
As per a joint survey conducted in 2022 by the Health and Social Welfare Departments in 10 districts of Kashmir, around 70,000 persons were found to be involved in substance use.
The reply stated that a network of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres has been established across the Union Territory, including facilities in district hospitals, government medical colleges and police-run centres. So far, around 69,000 patients have received treatment and rehabilitation services.
The government said free services such as OPD/IPD care, emergency treatment and Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) are being provided at medical colleges and district hospitals through Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs).
“At present, 1,864 clients are registered, with 358 active beneficiaries undergoing treatment,” the reply added.
Mental Health and Addiction Medicine Clinics have also been operationalised, while awareness and IEC campaigns are being conducted under NHM, NMHP, NAPDDR and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in schools, colleges and communities.
The Drug Control Organisation, it said, is enforcing provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and conducted 518 awareness programmes during 2025–26 (till December). Helpline 104 has also been publicised for counselling and immediate assistance.
The government further said infrastructure for counselling and rehabilitation is being strengthened, particularly in rural and vulnerable areas. IMHANS Kashmir and government medical colleges are expanding services, with new inpatient facilities being established.
Addiction Treatment Facilities at GMC Anantnag, Handwara and Srinagar are fully functional, while GMC Baramulla has been sanctioned ₹5 crore for a dedicated de-addiction building. Drug treatment centres are also operational to provide structured care and follow-up.
The government said institutional mechanisms for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation are in place and efforts are being strengthened to address drug abuse among youth in a systematic manner. (KNO)
