Heroin abuse soars in Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 6: Kashmir is grappling with an unprecedented surge in heroin abuse, with official data revealing a disturbing trend of drug addiction among the youth.

The scale of the crisis has overwhelmed rehabilitation centres and prompted urgent interventions from authorities, as heroin has emerged as the most consumed drug in the valley.

According to the last report from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Jammu and Kashmir has over 10 lakh drug abusers, with heroin being the drug of choice for a significant portion of users. Data from the J&K Police corroborates this trend, with a staggering 90 percent of drug users in Kashmir found to be dependent on heroin.

The number of drug-related cases has skyrocketed in recent years, showing a marked increase since 2018.

In a 2023 study conducted by the Government Psychiatric Hospital in Srinagar, it was revealed that 52 percent of substance abusers were injecting heroin, with many turning to the drug due to its easy availability.

The study also indicated that young men aged 18 to 35 are the most vulnerable group, accounting for the majority of heroin users in Kashmir.

One of the senior doctors who oversees a de-addiction centre run by the J&K Police, explained that the number of individuals seeking treatment has grown exponentially.

“Back in 2018, there were few reports of drug addiction in Kashmir, but now our centres are operating at full capacity. The problem has reached epidemic proportions, with hundreds of new cases being reported each month,” he said.

The Police data shows that between January and September 2024, law enforcement seized over 80 kilograms of heroin, a significant jump from previous years.

The Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), a specialised wing of the J&K Police established in 2020, has been at the forefront of these seizures.

However, despite increased vigilance and crackdowns on drug traffickers, heroin continues to flood into the region, exacerbating the addiction crisis.

A senior Police officer who is part of the ANTF, acknowledged the enormity of the challenge.

“The sheer volume of heroin flowing into Kashmir is unprecedented. We have made 1200 arrests related to narcotics this year alone, but the problem persists. Our team is doing everything in its power to dismantle the drug smuggling networks, but community involvement is key to turning the tide,” the officer said.

Healthcare officials express concern over the long-term health impacts of heroin abuse, with many users developing severe physical and mental health issues.

They warned that the spread of needle-sharing practices among heroin addicts has also led to a sharp increase in cases of HIV and Hepatitis C, particularly among younger users.

Experts agree that beyond law enforcement, community cooperation is crucial to effectively combat the rising tide of heroin addiction.

Awareness campaigns, combined with improved access to rehabilitation services, are seen as essential measures to prevent further escalation of the crisis.