Majid Salam
An educational institute in south Kashmir is on a mission to eradicate drug abuse in the Kashmir Valley.
Idara Tehqiqat e Islami, based in south Kashmir, has been running counselling programs in various villages of south Kashmir and also destroying poppy cultivation in several areas.
The principal of the institute, which has several branches spread throughout the valley, spoke to The Kashmiriyat regarding the ongoing campaign.
“We have been running counselling programs throughout the valley for the past several months. Our clerics and students, thousands in number, have been directed to run these programs in their respective areas while also shedding special light on drug abuse in the valley during their Friday sermons,” he said.
He said that volunteers have been appointed in various villages who are keeping track of poppy cultivation. “We organize a bhang (poppy) destruction drive once a month, which is seeing increased participation from the locals,” he told The Kashmiriyat.
He said that during their campaigns, they have found boys as young as 14 around the poppy cultivation, collecting poppy. Saying that the state of affairs was highly worrying, he said, “There is a need for all of us to unite on this issue as the problem of drug abuse is getting worrisome throughout the valley,” said Irshad Attari, the principal of the school.
The rise in drug abuse has become a pressing concern in Kashmir, with recent statistics revealing a disturbing trend. According to official reports, the number of drug-related cases in the region has seen a sharp increase in recent years.
The J&K Police Department recorded over 2,500 cases of drug abuse in 2023 alone, a significant rise from previous years. The alarming increase is also reflected in the growing number of youths affected, with reports suggesting that more than 40,000 individuals are currently struggling with substance abuse across the valley.
This surge in drug use, particularly among young people, has sparked widespread concern among community leaders, activists, and educational institutions like Idara Tehqiqat e Islami.
Their efforts, which include counselling, education, and direct action such as the destruction of poppy fields, are crucial in combating the growing menace.
As the situation intensifies, the role of local communities and religious institutions in addressing the problem becomes increasingly important.
The initiatives led by Idara Tehqiqat e Islami are a testament to the grassroots efforts being made to tackle the issue head-on, and their continued success will be vital in reversing the trend of drug abuse in Kashmir.