The Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has expressed concern over the increasing incidence of drug abuse in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly among the youth.
The Parliamentary panel noted that the menace poses significant social, public health, economic and security challenges.
In its 260th report, tabled in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, the committee appreciated the vigorous enforcement measures undertaken by the administration, including intensified action under the NDPS and PIT-NDPS Acts, property seizures, dismantling of narcotics networks, action against illicit cultivation, suspension of licences of offenders and the launch of the 'Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan'.
The Committee was of the view that enforcement measures alone may not be sufficient to address the problem in a sustainable manner. It, therefore, recommended that equal emphasis be placed on prevention, early intervention, de-addiction, rehabilitation and social reintegration of affected individuals.
The Committee further recommended strengthening intelligence-led operations against cross-border narcotics trafficking, enhancing coordination among law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, health departments and community organisations, expanding de-addiction and counselling facilities at the district level, and intensifying awareness campaigns targeting students, parents and vulnerable communities.
The committee also recommended that the progress of the anti-drug campaign be reviewed periodically to assess its effectiveness and ensure a sustained reduction in drug abuse across the Union Territory.
While interacting with members of the parliamentary panel, the administration informed the committee that drug abuse has emerged as a significant social, public health and law-and-order challenge in the Union Territory, particularly among the youth, affecting both urban and rural areas.
Besides adversely affecting physical and mental health, substance abuse has contributed to criminal activities, family disintegration, social instability and economic distress.
The committee was informed that the principal factors contributing to the growing drug menace include the following:
- Cross-border vulnerability and trafficking of narcotic substances through international borders and infiltration routes.
- Unemployment and economic distress, particularly among the youth.
- Psychological stress and prolonged exposure to conflict situations, trauma, social uncertainties and emotional disturbances, which have contributed significantly to addiction tendencies among vulnerable individuals.
- Peer influence, changing social behaviour and exposure to social media.
- Increased availability of narcotic drugs and synthetic substances through organised trafficking networks and local peddlers.
- Inadequate awareness, weakening family supervision and societal reluctance in early identification and intervention, resulting in increased vulnerability.
- The use of narcotics trafficking as a source of illegal funding by organised criminal and anti-national elements, posing serious security concerns.
The administration emphasised that addressing the challenge requires a multidimensional strategy combining strict law enforcement, intelligence-led anti-narcotics operations, public awareness campaigns, rehabilitation measures, educational interventions and active community participation.
The Union Territory administration informed the Parliamentary panel that several stringent and comprehensive measures have been undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir to combat drug abuse and strengthen drug de-addiction efforts.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been issued for the cancellation or suspension of documents belonging to individuals accused under the NDPS Act and those detained under the PIT-NDPS Act.
These documents include passports, driving licences, Aadhaar cards, arms licences, contractor licences, government accommodation allotments and security cover.
The objective of these measures is to restrict the movement of accused persons, prevent the misuse of identity documents and dismantle narcotics networks.
Roles, timelines and nodal officers have been designated to ensure coordination, while a system for monthly monitoring, reporting and accountability is currently in place.
Jammu and Kashmir ranked first in the country in terms of arrests made under the PIT-NDPS Act and third in terms of property seizures, clearly demonstrating that strict action is being taken against drug abuse.
