On November 24, 2024, a vibrant cycling rally, the “Jhelum Valley Cycle Rally,” for women was held in Baramulla, Kashmir, marking a significant step towards empowering young women and giving them an opportunity to explore their sporting talents. But the rally was more than just a cycling event – it was a powerful statement of resilience and determination by the young girls who participated. Despite the challenging terrain, they pedalled through with vibrant enthusiasm, pledging to combat drug abuse in Kashmir.At the start of the rally, the Shaukat Ali Stadium resonated with a loud, heartfelt, three-point pledge taken by the girls, their parents, and onlookers:
“I Promise to stay away from drugs,
I promise to keep my friends away from drugs,
I pledge to spread awareness about the ill effects of this menace.” This pledge is a testament to the spirit of Kashmir’s youth towards creating a better future for themselves. This inspiring event is just one example of the community-led initiatives that are making a difference in the fight against drug abuse in Kashmir.
A Growing Concern; The data is staggering: Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with a severe drug addiction crisis, affecting over 14.09 lakh individuals aged 10-75, according to government data presented in Parliament. Based on a survey by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, opioids account for the majority of abuse cases, with approximately 5.4 lakh users, followed by 4.2 lakh alcohol addicts, 1.4 lakh cannabis users, and 1.35 lakh inhalant abusers.Nationally, opioid use is highest in Mizoram (6.9%), Nagaland (6.5%), Arunachal Pradesh (5.7%), Sikkim (5.1%), and Manipur (4%). Large states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab contribute over half of the total opioid cases due to their population sizes. Opium and its derivatives account for over 90% of substance abuse cases in Kashmir, marking a significant shift in the region’s drug landscape, as per a study by the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Kashmir.Of 140-150 daily patients at IMHANS, 95% are heroin addicts—a significant jump from 13% in 2015. The “quantum of work” for professional intervention in J&K was 1.5%, double the national average of 0.7%. X, a 22-year-old Kashmiri woman battling a four-year heroin addiction, shared her struggles at IMHANS. Diagnosed with Hepatitis C caused by needle sharing, her visibly weakened state highlight the devastating impact of drug abuse. X began using heroin in 2020 while just in class 11, and despite multiple rehabilitation attempts, recovery remains challenging. “It appears that the sellers are deliberately targeting girls at younger age profile, and peer pressure causes them to slip”, said an expert.
Frightening Secondary Effects: Apart from the well-known effects on individuals, families and the community, drug abuse has also led to a spurt in crimes in a society that was relatively crime free. Experts, including Dr. Yasir Rather, professor of psychiatry at IMHANS Srinagar, suggest that the increasing crime graph in Kashmir may be connected to the rise in heroin abusers, who often turn to burglary and murder to support their addiction. Kashmiri society was never riddled with major crimes, but the recent homicide case in Kashmir, where a 32-year-old man allegedly strangled his 70-year-old mother, has brought attention to the growing drug abuse problem in the region. This incident is the third reported case in six months, highlighting the severity of the issue. Other incidents, such as a baker attacking his family members and neighbors, and a man attempting to steal money to buy drugs , demonstrate the link between drug abuse and crime.
25% of unemployed youth involved in substance abuse, and addicts spending 88,000 rupees a month procuring heroin, as per a news report published in July.“Addiction leads to desperation cycle – unemployed youth and part time labourers get addicted to performance enhancing or pain relieving drugs,but then they find they have no money to feed the addiction. The drug menace in Kashmir is also linked to the illegal drug trade from Pakistan, with Keran village in Kupwara serving as a conduit for drug racketeers.” The issue has been described as “narco-terrorism” by some political observers.
The ‘Stigma’ Challenge: Even when the addict wants to break the cycle, experts note stigma and inadequate support systems hinder effective sensitisation, awareness and rehabilitation in J&K, where relapse rates are presumed high. “Building awareness and reduction in peer pressure are key to sensitise the youth”, a deaddiction counsellor in the Baramulla based and army supported Drug Deaddiction Counselling Centre said.
“The drug abuse crisis in Kashmir demands immediate attention and collective action. With a multi-pronged approach, community-led initiatives, and a focus on awareness and rehabilitation, we can work towards a safer, healthier future for the youth of Kashmir. It’s time to break the silence and join forces to combat this menace.”
Community-Led Initiatives Offer Hope: However, initiatives like the cycling rally and the involvement of religious centers and educational institutions are helping to change the narrative. The “Jhelum Valley Cycle Rally” is just one example of the many community-led initiatives that are working to combat drug abuse in Kashmir. Religious centers, educational institutions, and the government are joining forces to raise awareness, provide support, and promote rehabilitation. This focus on women is important. Dr. Muzafar Khan, a clinical psychologist, has been at the forefront of this effort, addressing congregations and seeking cooperation from parents, especially women, to curb the menace. “A woman is a mother, wife, and daughter. She can assume a greater role in keeping an eye on the children’s activities,” Dr. Khan has said. Kashmir’s religious centers are also playing a crucial role in the fight against addiction. Mosques and imambaras are doubling as counseling and testing centers, bringing hope to a community desperate for solutions. The Magam Imambara has also become the Valley’s first religious center to make screening test kits available for local people. Maulvis are also educating young children at darasgah and informal occasions. Schools are also joining the fight, with the J&K Police Public School implementing a drug policy that includes random screening of students. This proactive approach has shown promising results, with workshops and counseling sessions helping to educate students and teachers about the dangers of drug abuse. As Kashmir struggles to overcome its addiction crisis, it’s clear that community-centric initiatives like these are crucial to creating lasting change. By harnessing the influence of religious centers and educational institutions, Kashmir can begin to heal and rebuild. The government’s multi-pronged approach, including prevention, enforcement, rehabilitation, and awareness, is yielding positive results. Since 2023, over 3,190 drug-related cases have been registered, with 4,536 people arrested. Kashmir’s religious centers are playing a crucial role, with mosques and imambaras doubling as counseling and testing centers.
More Can Be Done;The Community Must Lead The Way: To effectively combat the drug menace, engaging youth and women must be prioritized as key drivers of community action. Youth should be empowered through targeted programs like skill development, peer-led counseling, and sports initiatives, providing them with purpose and a constructive outlet. Schools and colleges can play a pivotal role by integrating awareness campaigns and mental health support systems into their curriculums, fostering informed decision-making and resilience against peer pressure. Women, as pillars of families, can be mobilized through self-help groups and training programs focused on identifying early signs of addiction and supporting recovery. Workshops on family counseling and substance abuse awareness can enable women to create a supportive environment that discourages drug use. Additionally, facilitating community platforms where youth and women can collaborate on projects—such as neighborhood watch groups or rehabilitation drives—can strengthen ties and promote accountability. These collective efforts, rooted in education and empowerment, are essential for building a united front against substance abuse.
Globally, several successful initiatives involving youth and women have proven effective in combating drug abuse, offering strategies and “safe spaces” that could be tailored for Kashmir:
1. Youth-Led Prevention in Japan: The Drug Abuse Prevention Centre (DAPC), supported by UNODC, utilizes peer-to-peer education. Young volunteers engage their peers in understanding the dangers of drug abuse, fostering community ownership and active participation in addressing the issue.
2. Sri Lanka’s Youth Networks: The government has established youth clubs that incorporate sports, cultural programs, and skill-building workshops. These initiatives create constructive alternatives to drug use and spread awareness about its harmful effects.
3. Women-Centric Programs in Afghanistan: Recognizing women as pivotal caregivers, Afghanistan has implemented community health initiatives. Women are trained in counseling and drug abuse awareness, enabling early intervention and the creation of supportive environments.
4. U.S. Community Sports Programs: Diversion programs like those by the Office of Juvenile Justice integrate sports and arts to provide youth with healthy outlets, reducing their likelihood of turning to drugs and fostering teamwork and engagement. In Kashmir, it is mostly the Army that through Operation Sadbhavna, holds many sports initiatives, but these must get the full support from all other functionaries of the government.
5. Punjab’s Community Policing Efforts: Programs such as “Mission Drug-Free Punjab” actively involve women and youth as community watch agents. These initiatives encourage participation in anti-drug workshops and campaigns to enhance local vigilance and awareness.
To address Kashmir’s drug crisis, adapting similar strategies—through youth mentorship, skills training for women, and peer-led awareness campaigns—could strengthen social networks and foster community resilience against substance abuse. It is clear that community-centric initiatives are crucial to creating lasting change. By harnessing the influence of religious centers, place of regard of Kashmiri women in society and educational institutions, Kashmir can begin to heal and rebuild. According to Dr. Rather, professor of psychiatry at Srinagar, building awareness and reduction in peer pressure are key to sensitizing the youth. The drug abuse crisis in Kashmir demands immediate attention and collective action. With a multi-pronged approach, community-led initiatives, and a focus on awareness and rehabilitation, we can work towards a safer, healthier future for the youth of Kashmir. It’s time to break the silence and join forces to combat this menace.
(The author is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Dr R M Bhat
