New Govt faces an epidemic of addiction

Srinagar, Oct 17: As the new government takes charge in J&K, one of the most pressing challenges it faces is the rising drug menace, particularly the increasing use of heroin among the youth.

Despite a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, J&K is looking at a severe health and social crisis, threatening an entire generation of youngsters.

In August this year, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs informed the Rajya Sabha that a total of 66,595 kg of drugs were seized in J&K over the past three years under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Of this, 61,396 kg were opium-based drugs.

In simpler words, 61.4 tonnes of opiods (heroin, morphine, codeine) were seized in J&K in just three years.

Imagine an equivalent of over 3000 bucket loads of the drugs were in the process of reaching the youth and were seized by the Police.

The J&K Police recently said that 4536 persons had been arrested during a crackdown against illegal narcotic trade networks from the beginning of 2023 to July this year.

Yet, despite these stringent measures towards supply reduction, drugs continue to reach the young and vulnerable ones, spiralling their lives into the never-ending treachery of addiction. Over the last few years, drug abuse, especially heroin addiction, has surged alarmingly in Kashmir.

THE MAMMOTH SIZE

According to a recent report from the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, J&K ranks among the states with the highest prevalence of opioid drug abuse in India. Various estimates including a report by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment put the number of people abusing various drugs in J&K between a staggering 10 lakh and 14 lakh.

An insightful report by the Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, GMC Srinagar, calculated the prevalence of substance dependence in Kashmir as 2.87 percent of the population.

Of these, a disturbing 2.23 percent abuse opioids, a number that set the alarm bells ringing, and start the war-footing measures about a potential public health emergency.

Experts attribute the problem to a combination of factors, including the easy availability of narcotics, the lack of opportunities for the youth and the socio-political scenario that has prevailed over the past decades.

HEALTH CRISIS

Prof Yasir Hussain Rather, Incharge of the Drug De-Addiction and Treatment Center (DDTC) at SMHS Hospital, said heroin crisis is a catastrophe in making.

“It (heroin) is one of the worst drugs in terms of successful treatment, as it is highly addictive and relapses, especially if the abuser is using it intravenously, are common. It has horrifying health consequences,” he said.

Prof Rather said one of their studies found that about seven out of every 10 people abusing heroin intravenously was infected with Hepatitis C, and an increasing number was getting Hepatitis B and HIV infections.

The doctors said that the treatment of infections like Hepatitis C was an additional burden on the healthcare infrastructure.

“It is an expensive treatment and by the time a person is diagnosed and put on treatment, they have already infected many more,” Prof Rather said.

Doctors in many other departments of the hospitals in Kashmir have reported about the multiple health crisis emanating from injectable substance abuse.

These include kidney problems, gangrenes, cardiac issues, mental health issues, and even sudden deaths.

As per the figures of the IMHANS, 45 percent of people, studied as part of a research on pattern and prevalence of substance abuse in J&K (2021) were using injectable opioids.

Although the Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATF) have been started in almost all district hospitals of J&K, these facilities continue to remain open from 10 am to 4 pm, with no provision for admitting a patient.

In-patient facility is available only at two centres of GMC Srinagar in Kashmir.

Moreover, the lack of training and expertise to identify a case of substance abuse by general practitioners working in hospitals across hospitals is a lacuna that needs to be worked on.

“Addiction case does not report to the ATF directly. They often get into health issues and report to hospitals near them. A doctor needs to be vigilant and trained to identify a case of abuse and guide accordingly,” a senior psychiatrist working in a district-level ATF said.

He said patients often arrive “late” for addiction treatment.

“In addition, urine-based drug analysis kits need to be more accessible and available across district hospitals,” he said.

The addiction problem is compounded by the lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure to deal with the volume of patients seeking help.

The need for a long-term rehabilitation centre has been voiced many times by the medical experts but no work has been done in this direction over the past five years since it was formally proposed by GMC Srinagar.

The rehab could address the long-term treatment needs, and provide a vocational support system and the much-needed change of environment for people who find themselves in the claws of drugs.

CRIMES

Last year, at an event at GMC Srinagar, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar said that 95 percent of the theft cases the Police investigated were found to be linked with drugs.

As per the Police, “Drugs have fueled many other crimes in the UT.”

The abuse of drugs, especially opioids, has led to a wave of associated social problems.

Families are bearing the brunt of this crisis, with countless stories of young lives being torn apart by addiction.

An increase in petty crime, domestic violence, and mental health issues is linked to substance abuse.

The rising number of overdose deaths has also been alarming, further exacerbating the situation.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

A report, a few years ago, estimated that Rs 3.7 crore are spent on drugs in Srinagar and Anantnag districts alone. The economic implications of the drug crisis are far-reaching. With a large portion of the youth population ensnared by addiction, the region faces the grim possibility of a “lost generation,” one that is unable to contribute to the economic and social development of J&K.

The unemployment rate remains high, and with addiction siphoning off much of the potential workforce, the new government will be hard-pressed to revive economic activity in the region.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

While previous administrations have acknowledged the growing drug problem, the response needs intensification, with a focus on a holistic approach that combines healthcare, rehabilitation, and community outreach.

The new government has promised a more comprehensive strategy to tackle the drug menace and a war against drugs was part of the election manifesto of National Conference.

The government is expected to collaborate with central authorities and international organisations to curb cross-border smuggling and provide necessary resources for the treatment of those already affected.

The need for support systems for families affected by addiction is also an area that needs attention.