Alarming substance abuse statistics emerge in J&K

SRINAGAR, DEC 14: In a recent revelation, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, A. Narayanaswamy, disclosed concerning figures on substance abuse in Jammu and Kashmir during a written reply to Rajya Sabha.
The minister highlighted that more than 1 lakh individuals in the region are grappling with cannabis addiction, with an estimated 1.87% of males and 0.69% of females affected. Shockingly, over 5.4 lakh people are reported to be opioid drug users, with 9.21% of males and 0.16% of females caught in the grip of these substances.

Beyond these concerning statistics, the minister conveyed that 2.27% of males and 0.16% of females in the Union Territory are addicted to sedatives. Moreover, a small but noticeable percentage of the population is addicted to cocaine (0.01% of males and females), Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) (0.03% of males and 0.1% of females), Inhalants (2.19% of males and 0.14% of females), and Hallucinogens (0.02% of males and females).
Responding to the alarming situation, the minister emphasized that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is actively implementing the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). This comprehensive scheme provides financial assistance to state governments and union territory administrations for a range of initiatives, including preventive education, awareness generation, capacity building, skill development, vocational training, and livelihood support for ex-drug addicts.
Under the NAPDDR, support is extended to NGOs and voluntary organisations for the operation of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs), Community-based Peer-Led Intervention (CPLI) for early drug use prevention among adolescents, Outreach and Drop Centres (ODIC), and District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs). Additionally, addiction treatment facilities are being established in government hospital settings to address the growing concern of substance abuse in the region.