Drug abuse and addiction

The rising cases of drug abuse and addiction in Jammu and Kashmir is a cause of concern. This is happening despite various measures being taken up for last several years to end the menace. Collective and well coordinated efforts are required at various levels to deal with alarming rate of substance abuse and addiction. Not only the concerned government departments but society as a whole has to come forward in a big way to save the youth from falling into the trap of drug addiction. The backbone of the drugs supply chain has to be broken. All stringent measures have to be taken in this direction. Several steps are being taken against several drug peddlers and smugglers like their arrests, or booking them under PSA or attaching their properties. But the whole network has to be smashed so that the supply line is broken. While it is very important to deal strictly with those indulging into drug peddling and smuggling, but society too has to play its role in combating this menace. The role of families is highly important. Going by the increase in cases, it seems that society as a whole is not taking the problem as seriously as it should. The complacency has started taking a heavy toll with more and more youngesters falling to drug abuse or addiction. Large number of families seem losing track of their young family members. Subsequently, the drug pedallers are having an easy access to them. Providing a comfortable family atmo- sphere, better education and other facilities to youngsters by their families is essential but equally important is to stop them from falling to drugs. For that the families must know about the company their young members are keeping in neighbourhood, educational and professional institutions, workplaces and at other places. The families have to be in constant touch with their members to know about their problems and any kind of stress and strain they are going through so that solutions are found out. Those affected by drugs must get timely treatment and counseling and it must be followed up strictly so that they come out of it. The drug de-addiction centers must have all the required facili- ties to deal with the increasing number of cases. Special campaigns should be launched to make the youth aware about the disastrous consequences of drug abuse and drug addiction. Various sections of society must be part of these campaigns. Time has come to take on the measures against drug abuse and addiction more seriously before it is too late.