Srinagar, Feb 05: Jammu & Kashmir Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday that the comprehensive Drug De‑Addiction Rules are in final drafting stages and will soon be enacted, aiming to intensify the battle against the proliferating narcotics menace across the Union Territory.
Responding to a query raised by Legislator Sham Lal Sharma on behalf of Devyani Rana concerning Drug De‑Addiction Centres, she announced that a stringent anti‑drug bill will also be tabled in the current budget session to address this pressing social concern. She underscored the necessity of mandating all medical and chemist outlets to install CCTV surveillance systems to monitor and deter illicit sale of medicines and narcotics.
Itoo emphasised that combating the drug epidemic is a collective responsibility, requiring concerted effort from the Home Department, Social Welfare, Education, and all elected representatives. She highlighted that the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and the Health & Medical Education Department are fortifying de‑addiction services, noting that as of 2025, eleven Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) are fully functional in the Kashmir division—SKIMS Soura,
GMC Bamina Srinagar, GMC Anantnag, GMC Baramulla, GMC Handwara, District Hospitals of Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal, and Bandipora—providing both outpatient and inpatient care.
In the Jammu region, ATFs operate at GMC Doda, GMC Jammu, GMC Kathua, GMC Rajouri, GMC Udhampur, and district hospitals in Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, Reasi, and Samba (OPD only). She added that several private NGOs deliver extensive treatment and rehabilitation programs, and de‑addiction OPD services now cover all 20 districts, with specialized psychiatric support in nine government medical colleges.
During the session, supplementary questions from Legislators Hasnain Masoodi, Mir Saifullah, Mubarik Gul, Tanvir Sadiq, Mohammad Yousuf Rather (Tarigami), and Surjit Singh Salathia prompted further discussion on strengthening the framework.
