J&K combats rising drug abuse cases with comprehensive Govt initiatives

Srinagar, July 26: In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of Home Affairs Nityanand Rai revealed that the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory has recorded 1,014 drug cases under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 over the past three years. The data shows a steady increase in cases, with 289 registered in 2020, 357 in 2021, and 394 in 2022.
The minister attributed the rise in detected cases partly to the government’s ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ (NMBA), which has improved the identification of drug addiction cases. This initiative is part of the broader National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), aimed at combating substance abuse among youth across the country, including Jammu & Kashmir.

The NMBA has been launched in all districts of Jammu & Kashmir, reaching over 91.5 lakh people, including more than 6 lakh youth. To support this effort, the government has implemented a multi-faceted approach to address the growing drug problem in the region.

An Integrated Rehabilitation Center for Addicts (IRCA) has been established in Jammu & Kashmir to provide treatment, preventive education, awareness generation, and counseling services. Additionally, two Community-based Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) Centers are operating to work with children under 18, creating awareness against drugs and teaching life skills.

The government has also set up three Outreach and Drop-In Centers (ODICs) to provide safe spaces for treatment, rehabilitation, and counseling services. Furthermore, 20 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) are being implemented in government hospitals through the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
Five District De-addiction Centers (DDACs) have been established, offering comprehensive services including IRCA, ODIC, and CPLI facilities under one roof. To provide immediate assistance, the government maintains a toll-free helpline (14446) for primary counseling and support to those seeking help.
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) has developed Navchetna Modules and teacher training modules to sensitize students (6th-11th standard), teachers, and parents on drug dependence, coping strategies, and life skills. More than 16,000 educational institutions in Jammu & Kashmir have participated in the NMBA, ensuring that the message reaches children and youth throughout the region.
This comprehensive approach demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing the drug problem in Jammu and Kashmir, combining law enforcement with prevention, education, and rehabilitation efforts. As the number of registered cases continues to rise, these initiatives aim to create a more resilient and drug-free society in the Union Territory.