Over 13.5 lakh people in Jammu Kashmir addicted to drugs, 1.68 lakh are minors

June 27, 2025 by News Desk

On the International Day Against Drug Abuse, fresh data has revealed that over 13.5 lakh people in Jammu Kashmir are affected by drug addiction, including 1.68 lakh minors between the ages of 10 and 17, Kashmir News Observer reported.

The data, drawn from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment, also shows that nearly 95,000 individuals are opioid users.

While heroin consumption has seen a slight decline in some areas, officials warn that pharmaceutical and synthetic drug abuse is rapidly rising. Substances like tapentadol, pregabalin, tramadol, and even veterinary medications such as Avilin are being widely misused.

Health professionals at de-addiction centres report consistent patient inflows. At IMHANS, Srinagar, 5 to 10 new cases are registered daily, along with ongoing follow-ups.

Most new patients are younger, and a significant number show signs of polydrug abuse — combining multiple substances to enhance the high or compensate for reduced heroin availability.

Doctors credit awareness campaigns, early intervention through the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, and law enforcement efforts for the slight dip in heroin use. However, they warn that pharmaceutical drugs are harder to detect and regulate, posing fresh challenges for rehabilitation.

The problem is not limited to urban centres. In districts like Shopian, de-addiction clinics continue to register new patients regularly.

Most are addicted to heroin and psychotropic substances, and doctors note a troubling rise in the misuse of medications meant for animals. Some patients are now seeking treatment due to disrupted supply chains caused by police crackdowns.

The crisis has triggered calls for broader preventive strategies. IMHANS recently trained 30 imams and religious scholars under the Waqf Board to raise awareness and intervene at the community level.

Experts argue that fighting addiction now requires coordinated action at every level — from families and schools to religious institutions, media, and civil society.

With addiction numbers reaching alarming levels — 13.5 lakh users, 1.68 lakh minors, 95,000 opioid addicts — doctors and civil society groups are demanding a comprehensive, time-bound rehabilitation and de-addiction policy.

They warn that without urgent and structured intervention, the consequences may be irreversible for the region’s youth

and social fabric.