From Heaven to Heroin: J&K’s Daily Dance with Drug Addiction

Srinagar, June 22: In the shadow of the Himalayas, a silent epidemic is ravaging Jammu and Kashmir. Drug abuse, once a distant concern, has now become a daily reality for this picturesque region. Recent data paints a grim picture: an average of 3-4 drug-related cases are reported every day, with over 1800 cases registered in the past two years alone.This surge in substance abuse is not just a statistic; it’s a crisis that threatens the fabric of families and communities across the state. As drug consumption rates climb steadily, experts warn of far-reaching consequences that extend beyond individual health, potentially impacting the region’s social and economic stability.

Local authorities and healthcare professionals are grappling with this escalating situation, which mirrors a global trend of rising drug abuse and trafficking. However, the rapid acceleration of cases in Jammu and Kashmir has raised alarm bells, prompting calls for immediate and decisive action.

A doctor at GMC Srinagar said that drug addiction is prevalent in every corner of the valley. “There has been an alarming increase in drug addiction cases. Drug addiction is prevalent among both the educated and uneducated. Although youth are more involved in drugs, there are also individuals around 50 years old who consume drugs, devastating themselves and their families,” the doctor stated.

When asked why more people were turning to drugs in the valley, he replied, “One basic factor is the easy availability of substances here. Some see it as a mode of recreation, and then it becomes very difficult for them to overcome the addiction. We need to raise our voices against drug addiction, including stopping its supply and making people aware of its consequences.”
A 25-year-old youth from Central Kashmir’s Budgam district said he got involved in drugs three years ago at a cousin’s wedding.
“We were five friends, including two cousins, in a room reserved for us. We started a midnight party. First, we drank beer, then cannabis. Three weeks later, we went to Pahalgam with a curiosity to have a good time and ease stress and anxiety. We started drinking whiskey and using cannabis there. The next day, we woke up around 10 am when I received a call from my family that my father had a heart attack and was hospitalized. When I reached the hospital, Papa made me promise to look after my two younger sisters and mother if he died. Thanks to Allah,