Kashmir valley known for its breathtaking landscapes, pristine natural resources, rich cultural heritage and land of saints has been facing many pressing social and environmental challenges. Global warming, climate change and drug addiction are the most burning issues witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir for the last many years. Drug addiction is the most dangerous social evil as it is considered the mother of all evils in a society. it has deleterious effects on the human society and demands an immediate and comprehensive attention and action otherwise our existence on the mother earth will be very difficult within few years amid soaring crimes, theft, robbery, violence, trafficking, suicides. Moreover, there will be inter and intraspecific competition among people for safe shelter, place, road, safe market, residence etc. due to fear of addicts and criminals. Drug addiction is the one of the most burning social and health issues in Jammu and Kashmir that has caused a great socioeconomic and humanitarian crisis. According to a recent shocking report by experts, addicts in Jammu and Kashmir have been using cheaper synthetic drugs, particularly heroin mixed with toxic chemicals that are more dangerous, poisonous and deadly, ruining their lives severely. For the last many years, the Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing steep increase of drug addiction due to easy availability of drug abuse substances and the youth particularly age group 13-30 are falling prey to drug abuse substances like cannabis, opium, hashish, ganja, brown sugar, heroin, alcohol, correction fluid, marijuana, shoe polish, cocaine, opioid, painkillers and nicotine. Young children using opiates and injecting heroin have increased much in the Kashmir valley. Drug addiction in the Kashmir valley has reached alarming levels and a significant portion of young educated youth not only males but also females are involved in drug addiction. Drug addiction is not only prevalent in urban areas but also in rural areas as well. Whoever is involved in drug addiction directly or indirectly, it is a Kashmiri, it is a human being involved. Drug abuse issue is the most dangerous social evil as it has consumed thousands of young educated youth and ruined thousands of families all across the state. According to a report, more than 12 lakh young youth are involved in drug addiction in Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir has left Punjab, Bihar and Gujarat states back in drug addiction and figures at the top of the list of drug addiction states. It has increased the rate of suicides, domestic violence, acid attacks, robbery, theft, suicides, murder etc. in the Jammu and Kashmir. Why has drug addiction increased in Jammu and Kashmir? There are several factors responsible particularly rising unemployment, the lingering impact of conflict, unfulfilled aspirations, corruption,failure in exams, family conflicts, marital disharmony, easy accessibility of drug abuse substances, financial problems at home, too much pocket money, social isolation, parental neglect and rejection, mental disturbances, peer group pressure, desire for more work, curiosity, excitement and adventures. It is a matter of great concern that the young educated youth, which are assets of our society, are having drugs in their hands instead of books and pens. The gravity of drug addiction in Kashmir valley is such that young educated youth feel no hesitation in taking drugs in broad daylight. Drug abuse demands greater attention from all quarters. Drug addiction alters brain chemistry and leads to long-term health consequences. It causes serious consequences as mood swings, anxiety, depression, irritability, aggression or restlessness, psychosis, damage vital organs like liver and kidneys, paranoia, shakes or tremors, bloodshot eyes, insomnia, increased risk of HIV and jaundice, importance, chromosomal abnormalities, defective offspring etc. It affects social, personal and professional relationships as well.
“The Kashmir valley has already lost one generation to bullets, now it is time for all of us to fight against drug addiction sooner the better, otherwise the situation will go out of our hands and we will lose one more generation to drugs that comes in a tiny packet of white powder and injectables’. let’s us all join hands together against rising drug addiction for the prosperous, secure and drug free Jammu and Kashmir. Your involvement can make a lot of difference!”
The drug addiction has increased crimes in various forms like thefts, robbery, violence, suicides, divorce, murder, trafficking etc. Drug addiction has also increased the burden on law enforcing agencies and the judicial system. Drug addiction is taking a heavy toll on families. There are thousands of families in Kashmir valley who want their addicted children free treatment and medicines for saving their lives but certain things prevent them from saving them, particularly social stigma and poverty. The Jammu and Kashmir police are doing great and appreciable job by arresting not only drug peddlers under NDPS act but attaching their property for drug free society. A day hardly passes in Jammu and Kashmir when we do not hear about the seizure of huge quantities of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances from the arrest of youth by Jammu and Kashmir police. The recent seizure of 8 kilograms of heroin from two traffickers by the Jammu and Kashmir police in Qamarwari sent a shocking wave among residents. The Jammu and Kashmir police is always committed to a zero tolerance policy against narcotics and pledged to continue their war against the growing menace of drug addiction. However, the police alone cannot completely wipe out the drug addiction in the state. The fight against drug addiction requires collective responsibility and a multipronged approach involving not only the government but also civil society, NGOs’, religious leaders, teachers and the community at large. The government must take proactive measures to engage youth in productive activities, provide better education, create skill development programs, offer employment opportunities, and launch awareness campaigns for the welfare of the youth. Civil society organizations and families also have a crucial role to play in preventing drug abuse and supporting affected individuals. The introduction of a recent private members bill by the MLA Fayaz Ahmad Mir of Peoples Democratic Party for seeking complete ban on advertisement, sale, consumption, and manufacture of alcohol beverages across the state is a great initiative. The bill, if passed, will bring a lot of relief to lakhs of families in Jammu and Kashmir and will prevent most crimes in Jammu and Kashmir. The bill must be supported by all the members irrespective of parties, region and religion for the public interest. By working together, J&K can effectively tackle this growing issue and build a more secure and prosperous future for its people. The people must report and inform the police about the peddlers or those involved in drug activities. The investigation and prosecution agencies must prepare strong cases against drug peddlers who are hell bent on destruction of young youth in a society. Weak cases always lead to early acquittal of peddlers and place them in the same situation as before so strong cases, strict enforcement of laws, Proper rehabilitation of victims and massive awareness generation can play an important role in tackling drug addiction effectively. The Kashmir valley has already lost one generation to bullets, now it is time for all of us to fight against drug addiction sooner the better, otherwise the situation will go out of our hands and we will lose one more generation to drugs that comes in a tiny packet of white powder and injectables’. let’s us all join hands together against rising drug addiction for the prosperous, secure and drug free Jammu and Kashmir. Your involvement can make a lot of difference!
(The author a freelancer is teacher at Govt Boys Higher Secondary School Beerwah, Budgam. 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”)
Mushtaq Ahmad Wani
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