In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, over 8.5 lakh people are addicted to various narcotic substances.
Shockingly, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, these drug users fall within the age group of 10 to 75 years.
Replying to a question by Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said that to assess the magnitude of substance abuse in the country, a National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India was conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E) through the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
According to the survey, over 8.5 lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir, in the age group of 10 to 75 years, are users of different types of narcotics.
The data further reveals that around 1.40 lakh people use cannabis, 5.50 lakh consume opioids, 1.70 lakh use sedatives, about 1,000 are addicted to cocaine, 2,000 use amphetamine-type stimulants, and another 1,000 consume hallucinogens.
Regarding the steps taken to tackle the menace, the minister said that the government, under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) of the MoSJ&E, is supporting one Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA), two Community-Based Peer-Led Interventions (CPLIs), three Outreach and Drop-in Centres (ODICs), six District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs), and 21 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) in Jammu and Kashmir.
LG calls for "zero tolerance" policy against drug menace
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday called for adopting a "zero tolerance" policy against the drug menace in the Union Territory.
Chairing a high-level meeting at Lok Bhavan in Jammu with Deputy Commissioners, SSPs, and senior civil and police officials, the Lieutenant Governor stressed the need for a multi-pronged strategy, including strengthening law enforcement to dismantle drug trafficking networks, intensive awareness campaigns to deter potential users, and improved treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation facilities.
"Action against drug abuse must be our top priority. We need a collective mechanism to safeguard our youth and ensure a healthy future for Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
He also directed officials to strengthen grassroots intelligence and ensure coordinated and stringent action against drug smugglers.
The meeting also reviewed a series of activities planned under a dedicated three-month campaign as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. The Lieutenant Governor urged senior officials to lead the campaign from the front and ensure participation from all sections of society to turn it into a mass movement.
