New Delhi | : BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana on Wednesday raised concern over the rising drug menace in Jammu and Kashmir during the Special Mention in Parliament, describing it as a crisis that was “consuming the youth and weakening society from within.”
Khatana said that approximately 1.35 million individuals in the Union Territory, representing around 8% of the population, are affected by substance abuse, with a significant majority—90%—being young people aged 17 to 33. The increasing reliance on opioids, particularly heroin, has led to a critical health crisis, exemplified by a nearly 20% prevalence of Hepatitis C among injecting drug users due to shared needles. He emphasized that addressing this issue requires more than just enforcement; it necessitates a collective societal effort. Khatana advocated for the establishment of village-level anti-drug committees that would engage teachers, community leaders, religious figures, and women to combat the drug problem at the grassroots level. He highlighted the essential role of women in these committees, suggesting that they could help reduce stigma, raise awareness within families, and support rehabilitation efforts. Khatana pointed out significant deficiencies in the region’s infrastructure, noting the lack of a comprehensive rehabilitation policy in Jammu and Kashmir. While detoxification centers are available, the absence of structured follow-up often results in relapses, perpetuating cycles of addiction among youth. He called for the expansion of de-addiction centers, the implementation of systematic post-recovery support, and the development of skill programs to facilitate the reintegration of rehabilitated individuals into society. He concluded by asserting that the drug crisis is not merely a law-and-order issue but also a public health concern that threatens community stability. Khatana stressed the need for sustained awareness campaigns and grassroots mobilization to prevent an entire generation from succumbing to drug addiction.
