National survey estimates 5.4 lakh opioid users in J&K, highest among substances
Drug addiction treatment rises from 5,382 cases in 2021-22 to 46,491 in 2025-26
Centre supports 1 IRCA, 6 DDACs and 21 addiction treatment facilities in J&K
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has an estimated 5.4 lakh opioid users, 3.9 lakh alcohol users, 1.7 lakh sedative users and 1.4 lakh cannabis users, according to the latest national survey cited by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The figures, based on the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India conducted in 2018 by the Ministry through the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS, provide one of the most detailed official estimates of substance use in Jammu and Kashmir.
The issue came up in response to an unstarred question by Rajya Sabha member Shri Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, who sought details on the prevalence of substance abuse among youth in J&K, district-wise treatment figures, government-run de-addiction facilities and measures being taken for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
According to the survey, opioids had the highest estimated prevalence among the substances listed in J&K at 4.91 per cent, corresponding to approximately 5.40 lakh users in the 10-75 age group.
Alcohol had a prevalence of 3.50 per cent, with an estimated 3.90 lakh users, while sedatives had a prevalence of 1.54 per cent, accounting for nearly 1.70 lakh estimated users.
Cannabis use was estimated at 1.31 per cent, or around 1.40 lakh users, while inhalant use stood at 1.22 per cent, with an estimated 1.35 lakh users.
The survey also estimated around 2,000 users of amphetamine-type stimulants, 1,000 cocaine users and 1,000 users of hallucinogens in Jammu and Kashmir.
The government data shows a substantial increase in the number of people receiving treatment for drug addiction at centres supported by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment over the last five years.
A total of 5,382 persons were treated in 2021-22, which increased to 27,843 in 2022-23, 36,588 in 2023-24, 40,546 in 2024-25 and reached 46,491 in 2025-26.
This represents an increase of more than eight times in five years.
The district-wise data shows that Jammu recorded the highest number of treated persons in 2025-26 at 9,960, followed by Kulgam with 5,765, Bandipora with 5,769, Rajouri with 5,561 and Kupwara with 4,530.
Pulwama recorded 3,433 persons treated during 2025-26, while Budgam reported 2,693 and Srinagar 6,204.
Other districts included Kathua with 337, Kishtwar 149, Poonch 214, Samba 455, Shopian 82 and Doda 74. Anantnag recorded 505 persons treated during the year.
The figures indicate a particularly sharp rise in several districts. Bandipora, for instance, went from 97 treated persons in 2021-22 to 5,769 in 2025-26, while Rajouri increased from zero recorded cases in 2021-22 to 5,561 in the latest year.
Kulgam rose from 327 to 5,765, Kupwara from 135 to 4,530, and Pulwama from 255 to 3,433 over the same period.
The Centre said that its Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is currently supporting one Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA), three Outreach and Drop In Centres (ODICs), two Community-based Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) programmes, six District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) and 21 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) in Jammu and Kashmir.
These facilities form part of the government’s broader National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), under which financial assistance is provided to States and Union Territories for preventive education, awareness generation and capacity building.
The scheme also supports NGOs and voluntary organisations running rehabilitation centres, peer-led intervention programmes, outreach centres and district de-addiction centres, besides supporting addiction treatment facilities in government hospitals.
At the national level, the government said the NAPDDR framework supports 344 IRCAs, 45 CPLI programmes, 76 ODICs, 155 ATFs and 145 DDACs.
The DDACs provide multiple services under one roof, including treatment, counselling, rehabilitation and support for reintegration into society.
The Centre also highlighted the role of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in strengthening prevention and awareness against substance abuse.
The campaign was launched on August 15, 2020, initially in 272 identified vulnerable districts and was extended to all districts of the country in August 2023. Its activities focus particularly on schools, universities, higher educational institutions and youth.
Nationwide, the campaign has reportedly sensitised more than 29.05 crore people, including over 11.05 crore youth and 7.81 crore women. More than 1.17 lakh Nasha Mukti Mitr have joined the campaign.
In Jammu and Kashmir, more than 1.20 crore people have been sensitised through awareness and outreach activities, including 69.14 lakh youth and 51.20 lakh women.
The Centre said 8,565 Nasha Mukti Mitr have also joined the campaign in J&K.
A toll-free de-addiction helpline, 14446, is being maintained by the Ministry to provide primary counselling and immediate referral services to people seeking help. The helpline has received more than 4.6 lakh calls nationwide, including over 11,000 calls from Jammu and Kashmir.
