140,000 Cries for Help: J&K’s Youth Trapped in Drug Crisis

Srinagar, July 31: In a shocking revelation that underscores the severity of Jammu and Kashmir’s drug epidemic, official data shows that a staggering 140,303 individuals, predominantly youth, sought help from drug de-addiction centres in 2024. 

This alarming statistic paints a grim picture of a region grappling with a crisis that threatens to consume its future.

The majority of these desperate pleas for assistance – 137,329 to be exact – were directed to the Health Department’s Outpatient Department (OPD) facilities. This overwhelming demand for treatment has stretched resources thin, with police-run centres handling an additional 1,441 cases, social welfare-sponsored centers aiding 1,000 individuals, and private facilities attending to 533 more.
“We’re witnessing a tsunami of addiction,” says a senior psychiatrist at the Government Medical College, Srinagar. “These numbers aren’t just statistics; they’re a cry for help from our youth, trapped in a cycle of despair and substance abuse.”
The roots of this crisis run deep, intertwining with the region’s complex socio-political landscape. Unemployment, stress, and the lingering effects of years of conflict have created a perfect storm, pushing many young people towards drugs as an escape.
In response, the government has ramped up its efforts, launching awareness campaigns in educational institutions and increasing funding for de-addiction centers. However, social activists argue that these measures, while necessary, are just scratching the surface.
“We need a revolution in our approach,” insists Mushtaq Ahmed, a social worker . “Community-based rehabilitation programs and long-term support systems are crucial. We can’t just treat the addiction; we need to heal the person.”
The gravity of the situation was further emphasized during the recent 10th Union Territory Level Apex Committee meeting of the Narco Coordination Center (NCORD). Chief Secretary Atal Dullo called for a foolproof mechanism to check the illegal sale of psychotropic drugs by pharmacies and stressed the need for district-wise statistics on drug-related cases and convictions.
As Jammu and Kashmir stands at this critical juncture, the message is clear: the time for half-measures is over. The region needs a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy that addresses not just the symptoms but the root causes of this epidemic. The future of an entire generation hangs in the balance, and the clock is ticking.