Drug addiction in Jammu & Kashmir has emerged as one of the most serious social and public health challenges of our time. Recent disclosures in the Assembly and official data have once again exposed an alarming reality, while the number of drug-dependent individuals continues to rise, the government has no concrete plan to establish new drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres. This disconnect between the scale of the problem and the institutional response is deeply concerning and demands urgent corrective action.
Across Jammu & Kashmir, thousands of young men and women are falling prey to substance abuse. From urban centres like Srinagar to towns and rural pockets in the Jammu division, the crisis has spread across socio-economic and geographic boundaries. What stands out starkly is that only a handful of medical institutions are carrying the overwhelming burden of treatment. Major government medical colleges, particularly in Jammu, are effectively functioning as de facto referral centres for multiple Assembly constituencies that lack even a single dedicated de-addiction or rehabilitation facility. This is neither sustainable nor fair.
Law enforcement agencies have undoubtedly played a crucial role in curbing the supply side of the drug menace. The seizure of thousands of kilograms of narcotics over the past few years reflects serious and sustained efforts by the police and paramilitary forces. However, enforcement alone cannot win this battle. Arrests and seizures may disrupt networks, but they do little to heal lives already devastated by addiction. Without strong treatment and rehabilitation mechanisms, the cycle of addiction continues unabated.
Drug-dependent individuals must be viewed first and foremost as patients, not criminals. Addiction is a complex medical and psychological condition that requires professional care, counselling, and long-term support. A humane and effective response must focus on recovery, dignity, and reintegration into society. Unfortunately, the absence of decentralised rehabilitation infrastructure often makes timely intervention impossible, pushing families into despair and forcing patients to travel long distances for treatment—or abandon hope altogether.
Equally troubling is the lack of transparency regarding the distribution of existing facilities. The government’s reluctance to provide constituency-wise details of de-addiction infrastructure raises serious questions about equity and planning. If facilities were adequately and evenly distributed, there would be no hesitation in clearly identifying which areas are covered and which are not. The reality appears to be that many constituencies remain invisible simply because no facilities exist there.
The need of the hour is a decisive policy shift. Drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres must be established at the constituency, or at least the district level, to ensure early access to treatment. Decentralised infrastructure would reduce pressure on major hospitals, enable early intervention, and significantly improve recovery outcomes. Alongside this, community-based awareness programmes, civil society involvement, and sustained follow-up support are essential.
Addressing drug addiction requires strong political will, coordinated governance, and sustained grassroots engagement. Strict action against traffickers must continue, but it must go hand in hand with an equally robust rehabilitation framework. If the government fails to act now, the cost will be borne not just by individuals, but by families, communities, and the future of Jammu & Kashmir itself. The crisis is real, the warning signs are clear, and the time for action is now.
Chief Editor
Diplomat Digital