J&K Govt vows to combat drug abuse

Srinagar, Nov 1: In the first-of-its-kind civil society meeting convened by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on Wednesday, drug abuse was at the heart of the discussion, with CM emphasising that tackling Kashmir’s escalating substance abuse problem remains the priority for his government.

“When I was the CM, I made a speech on drugs in 2012. Then, drugs were not that big an issue. It was confined to codeine and other pills. Today, things have changed. (Drugs are) consuming the lives of our younger generation,” Abdullah said.

He urged religious leaders and civil society members to join hands with the government to combat the crisis.

“At the same time, there is a need for opening more Drug De-Addiction Centres across J&K,” the CM said.

The gathering highlighted the urgency of addressing substance abuse, with stakeholders urging the government to take immediate, decisive action.

CM’s Advisor, Nasir Aslam Wani confirmed the administration's commitment to transparency, noting that the government would soon release an Action Taken Report (ATR) for the public on the drug crisis.

“The government will have zero tolerance toward those transporting and supplying drugs,” Wani told Greater Kashmir, emphasising that every level of the supply chain was under scrutiny.

Health Minister Sakeena Masood (Itoo), who also leads the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and the Ministry of Education, echoed the CM’s resolve to curb what she described as the “drug catastrophe” in Kashmir.

She said that saving Kashmir’s younger generation from drug addiction was a critical goal for her ministry.

Masood said that two years ago, her party, the National Conference (NC), had developed the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), an anti-drug policy document based on extensive consultations with experts and community representatives.

“Saving our future generation from the grip of drugs is our top-most priority,” she said, noting that Kashmir’s drug policy offers a “roadmap” for confronting the crisis that had intensified in recent years.

Since assuming office, Masood said her primary focus had been to enhance Kashmir’s current healthcare infrastructure for better treatment access across districts.

She said that one of her first steps was to request an assessment from the Secretary of Health and Medical Education to identify and address gaps in treatment services.

“Let us start now and not wait for creating new infrastructure,” Masood said, emphasising that maximising existing resources would allow for a faster and more comprehensive response.

She also stressed the critical role of law enforcement, highlighting the need to target higher-level traffickers more effectively.

“Often, the small peddlers are caught while the kingpins get away from the hands of law. This must stop,” she said, calling for stricter policing measures and a more strategic approach to dismantling drug networks across Kashmir.

Many civil society members, who were present at the meeting, said the assertions had brought hope of a stronger governmental response to the drug problem.

“With this commitment, the government has set in motion a transparent, action-oriented approach that aims to address public concerns and involve the community in combating substance abuse,” a civil society member said.