Div Com Kashmir Anshul Garg this week said that heroin abuse has tripled in three years. Addressing this crisis requires a multi-dimensional approach, prioritizing education, community engagement, and early intervention to protect society.
Shafqat Bukhari
The alarming rise of drug addiction among the youth of Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as one of the most serious social challenges confronting the region today. Recent statements by Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Anshul Garg, reveal that substance abuse, particularly heroin consumption, has tripled over the past three and a half years, underscoring the urgent need for a comprehensive and multi-dimensional response. Beyond its impact on individual health, addiction threatens families, communities, and the social fabric of the region. It is a stark reminder that the fight against drugs is not merely a law-and-order challenge but a societal imperative demanding engagement at every level. The Div Com’s remarks during a counsellor training programme at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Srinagar, highlight a critical strategy: prevention through awareness, education, and early intervention. By training counsellors in medical and educational institutions, the government aims to ensure that those struggling with addiction have access to timely guidance and rehabilitation. The introduction of helplines like EMANS to respond to public distress calls further demonstrates a commitment to making support services accessible and responsive. Such structured interventions are essential in a region where social stigma and lack of awareness have often prevented families from seeking help. Equally significant is the role of community and religious leaders in the anti-drug campaign. Imams and Ulemas are being mobilised to use Friday sermons and community outreach to communicate the dangers of substance abuse and the moral, social, and health consequences of drug use. This approach leverages the moral authority and cultural influence of religious institutions, ensuring that the message reaches households in both urban and remote rural areas. The Orientation-cum-Capacity Building Programme at IMHANS, attended by over 100 religious scholars, illustrates the value of partnership between administration, health experts, and civil society in tackling a deeply entrenched problem. The three-pronged approach advocated by the Div Com—awareness, identification, and counselling—offers a roadmap for mitigating the crisis.
“To achieve a drug-free Kashmir, a unified approach is essential. While government action is necessary, the responsibility lies across all levels of society—families, schools, and religious institutions must collaborate to create a supportive environment. By prioritizing early intervention and awareness, the region can protect its youth and secure its future through collective moral duty.”
By combining preventive education, early detection, and structured rehabilitation, the administration seeks to reintegrate victims into their families and communities while simultaneously disrupting the supply chains of drugs. Experts from IMHANS and GMC Srinagar have also emphasised the importance of reducing stigma and promoting community participation, which are indispensable for sustainable outcomes. Ultimately, a drug-free Kashmir cannot be achieved by government action alone. Families, schools, healthcare institutions, religious bodies, and civil society must operate in tandem, fostering an environment where youth are empowered with knowledge, moral guidance, and avenues for support. The rising addiction trends are indeed a “danger signal” as Garg warned, but with collective vigilance, early intervention, and sustained awareness campaigns, it is a challenge that can be addressed decisively. Kashmir’s youth are not just the future of the region, they are its present. Protecting them from the scourge of drugs is not merely a policy goal; it is a societal responsibility, a moral duty, and a defining test of our collective resolve.
