International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking | 760 cases registered, 1100 drug peddlers arrested in 6 months

Srinagar, June 26: From January to June this year, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a significant rise in drug abuse-related cases, with 760 instances registered, 1100 drug peddlers arrested, and over 2000 kg of narcotics seized, official data accessed by Greater Kashmir reveals.

The Police in J&K have intensified their efforts to combat the drug problem.

“In a series of operations conducted across all the districts, we have made significant arrests and seizures,” a senior police officer told Greater Kashmir. “The recovery of over 2000 kg of drugs underscores the scale of the narcotics trade infiltrating from across the border.”

The senior Police official said that drug abuse was becoming a major concern in J&K.

“The number of cases and the quantity of drugs seized indicate the seriousness of the situation,” he said. “We are committed to eradicating this menace and have increased our vigilance and operations to tackle the issue.”

The rise in drug abuse is particularly alarming given its devastating impact on the youth.

Many youth in J&K are falling prey to addiction, leading to a range of social and health problems.

Families are being torn apart, and communities are witnessing an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour linked to drug use.

Another senior Police officer said that the crackdown on drug peddlers in J&K had led to the seizure of scores of properties linked to the narcotics trade.

He said that authorities had confiscated several assets, including luxurious houses, commercial establishments, and vehicles, which were allegedly acquired through illicit drug profits.

“These properties, spread across various districts, highlight the extensive network and substantial financial gains of the drug peddlers operating in J&K,” he said. “The seizure of these assets not only disrupts the financial backbone of the drug trade but also sends a strong message of the government’s resolve to combat the growing drug menace.”

A senior official from a drug de-addiction centre said, “The youth are the future, and it is heart-breaking to see them caught in the web of drug addiction. We need comprehensive measures, including awareness programmes and many more rehabilitation centres to address this crisis.”

Official findings revealed in the Parliament have said that a staggering estimate of over 14.09 lakh people, aged between 10 and 75, are using various psychoactive substances in J&K.

The substance abusers in J&K encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from cannabis to sedatives to inhalants.

The breakdown includes approximately 5.4 lakh individuals abusing opioids, 4.20 lakh using alcohol, 1.4 lakh consuming cannabis, and 1.35 lakh inhaling substances. It was also revealed that nearly three out of every 100 adults in Kashmir are dependent on contraband substances, primarily opium and its derivatives.

The multidimensional factors contributing to the drug menace in the region include unemployment, the lingering impact of conflict, peer pressure, unfulfilled aspirations, parental expectations, poverty, and corruption.