One of the major reasons behind the problem of rising drug abuse in the valley is the political conflict of the past over three decades which is taking its toll on the youth. According to latest figures, more than six lakh educated youth are without job in the valley, writes Riaz Wani
In recent years, drug addiction has assumed enormous proportions in Kashmir. The scale of the problem is apparent from the fact that over 5,000 cases have been registered under anti-narcotics laws between 2019 and 2022. And overall, nearly a million people, or roughly 8 percent of the region’s population, reportedly use drugs, including cannabis, opioids, and sedatives.
According to a study conducted by the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences-Kashmir (IMHANS-K), heroin addiction accounts for 2.23 percent of all substance dependence cases, affecting people from diverse backgrounds, including educated middle-class families and working-class households. The majority of addicts, aged between 20 and 30, initially start with medical opioids before transitioning to intravenous heroin use, often resulting in the contraction of hepatitis C virus due to needle sharing.
The study, titled “Prevalence and pattern of substance use in 10 districts of Kashmir,” reveals that the economic burden of heroin addiction is immense, with addicts spending an average of Rs 88,183 per month on heroin consumption alone. As their addiction deepens, the cost increases, forcing many to resort to desperate measures such as theft, selling personal belongings, and taking on debts. In their relentless pursuit of drugs, some individuals even engage in drug trafficking activities
Apart from the direct financial strain on individuals and their families, the healthcare costs associated with heroin addiction are substantial. The study highlights that only 35.1 percent of Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) have undergone screening for hepatitis C virus, primarily due to the high cost of approximately Rs 3,000 per test. This lack of awareness about free treatment for hepatitis C in government-run hospitals further exacerbates the problem.
The authorities have expressed concern over the inflow of drugs from Pakistan, facilitated by smugglers, touts, and even the use of drones. Additionally, drug dealers from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are reportedly supplying drugs to the Valley through various channels. In 2022, Jammu and Kashmir police registered approximately 100 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, leading to the arrest of 1,560 individuals.
On June 6, Jammu and Kashmir Police seized property worth lakhs of a drug peddler Khursheed Ahmad Waza alias Mandela at Bandipora. The property included a residential plot measuring 1 Kanal, 1.5 Marlas worth a market value of Rs 44 lakh and two vehicles worth Rs 12 lakh.
