KULGAM: The Jammu and Kashmir administration is planning to establish rehabilitation centres across the state to assist recovering addicts in reintegrating into society, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced on Monday. He made the statement while leading the 'Drug-Free J&K Padyatra' in south Kashmir's Kulgam district.
Campaign Disrupts Drug Trafficking Networks
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, Sinha said the campaign has significantly disrupted drug trafficking networks across Jammu and Kashmir. 'Our campaign has broken the supply chain, and those involved in drug trafficking are facing tough times,' he stated.
Sinha revealed that hundreds of individuals affected by drug addiction are contacting Tele-MANAS Srinagar, the national mental health helpline, daily to seek treatment and counselling. The campaign has also encouraged public participation, with residents directly informing police about drug-related activities in their localities.
De-Addiction Centres and Counsellors Deployed
The Lieutenant Governor said de-addiction centres are functioning in all districts of Jammu and Kashmir, and counsellors have been deployed to provide psychological support and long-term treatment to recovering addicts. Unlike many other parts of the country where rehabilitation facilities are largely run by the private sector, the proposed centres in Jammu and Kashmir will be established in the government sector and made available in every district, he added.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha noted that over the past 51 days, extensive and coordinated operations have been carried out against narco-terrorists and drug traffickers. He had launched a 100-day intensive drive under the Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan on April 11 to make Jammu and Kashmir 'drug-free'.
Extensive Awareness and Enforcement
The campaign has involved large-scale awareness programmes by the civil administration and police, destruction of poppy cultivation, random urine testing of drivers, and intensified crackdowns on drug networks. Since the campaign began, 923 FIRs have been registered against alleged drug traffickers in the last 51 days. More than 1,000 alleged drug smugglers have been arrested, and over 55 alleged drug traffickers have been detained.
'This campaign is striking directly at the financial backbone of terrorism. Every rupee spent on drugs fuels extremist violence, and narco-terrorists survive on that blood money. By halting the drug trade, we cut off the lifeline that sustains terror networks,' Sinha said.
Substance Abuse Statistics in Kashmir
According to a survey titled 'Prevalence and Pattern of Substance Use Disorders in Ten Districts of Kashmir' carried out by IMHANS Kashmir in 2023, the Valley has an estimated 67,468 substance-dependent individuals. The survey identified heroin as the most widely used opioid.
