Dr. Yasir Rather, the Incharge of the Drug De-addiction Centre at SMHS Hospital, reported that more than 44,000 individuals visited the hospital seeking treatment for drug addiction in 2022. Notably, all of these patients received free treatment at the hospital.
“There is free treatment available for drug victims at the de-addiction centre of SMHS Hospital. There has been a considerable reduction in the number of drug victims visiting the hospital, which could be due to the stringent actions taken by the police and civil administration in Srinagar,” he said.
According to a doctor at the de-addiction centre, the government has implemented a zero-tolerance policy against drug suppliers and traffickers, making drugs less available in the open market. He also mentioned that the SKIMS Bemina centre has provided treatment to over 1500 affected patients.
As per police sources, 20 cases have been registered in Srinagar so far and 50 peddlers have been detained under the Public Safety Act for involvement in the narco trade. Furthermore, the police have recovered 13.42 grams of brown sugar, 684.33 grams of heroin, and 3.36 Kgs of charas, along with 4734 psychotropic tablets and 38 bottles from the peddlers in Srinagar. [KNT]