50,000 Heroin Users Among 70,000 Addicts In Kashmir: Govt

2026-02-19 05:02:46

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly that around 70,000 persons, mostly youth, are involved in substance abuse in Kashmir, of whom nearly 50,000 are heroin users, largely through the intravenous route.

Replying to a question tabled by MLA Javid Riyaz, the Health and Medical Education Department said Jammu and Kashmir, like many other parts of the country, is facing the menace of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, posing serious social and public health concerns.

As per a joint survey conducted in 2022 by the Health and Social Welfare departments across 10 districts of Kashmir, around 70,000 persons were found to be involved in substance use, the government said.

It said a multi-pronged strategy has been adopted to address the issue, including awareness campaigns, preventive interventions, stronger enforcement mechanisms and expansion of treatment and rehabilitation facilities.

A network of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres has been established across the Union Territory, including facilities at district hospitals, government medical colleges and police-run centres. So far, around 69,000 patients have received treatment and rehabilitation services at various addiction treatment facilities across J&K, the reply said.

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The government said free services - including OPD and IPD care, emergency services and Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) - are being provided at medical colleges and district hospitals through Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs). At present, 1,864 clients are registered, with 358 active beneficiaries undergoing treatment.

Mental Health and Addiction Medicine Clinics have also been operationalised, while awareness and IEC campaigns are being carried out under various national programmes in educational institutions and community settings, it added.

The Drug Control Organisation is enforcing the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and has conducted 518 awareness programmes during 2025–26 (till December). Helpline 104 has also been publicised for counselling and assistance, the government said.

It added that steps are being taken to further strengthen de-addiction counselling and rehabilitation infrastructure, particularly in rural and vulnerable areas, and to expand inpatient facilities for specialised care.

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