About 69,000 patients treated in de-addiction facilities
Srinagar, Feb 19: Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly that the Union Territory is confronting a serious drug abuse crisis, with tens of thousands of young people affected. According to official data, nearly 70,000 youth are using drugs, of whom around 50,000 are addicted to heroin.
Replying to a query by National Conference MLA Javaid Riyaz, the government said J&K, like many parts of the country, is grappling with the menace of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, posing grave social and public health concerns, particularly among young people.
As per a joint survey conducted in 2022 by the Health and Social Welfare Departments across ten districts of Kashmir, around 70,000 individuals , mostly youth , were found involved in substance use, with nearly 50,000 identified as heroin users, many consuming the drug intravenously.
The government said it has adopted a multi-pronged strategy focusing on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and strict enforcement. A wide network of de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities has been established across J&K, including centres at District Hospitals, Government Medical Colleges, and police-run facilities.
“Overall around 69,000 patients have been provided treatment and rehabilitation in various addiction treatment facilities across J&K,” the government said, adding that youth identified as drug-dependent are receiving counselling, medical care and rehabilitation support.
Free services including OPD and IPD care, emergency services and Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) are available in all Medical Colleges and District Hospitals through Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs). At present, 1,864 clients are registered, while about 358 active beneficiaries are undergoing treatment.
Specialized Mental Health and Addiction Medicine Clinics have also been operationalised to provide advanced psychiatric and addiction care. The government said it plans to further strengthen the de-addiction counselling and rehabilitation infrastructure, particularly in rural and vulnerable areas.
The Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) Kashmir and all Government Medical Colleges are expanding de-addiction services, while inpatient treatment facilities are being developed. ATFs at GMC Srinagar, Anantnag and Handwara are fully functional and offering counselling, outreach and referral services.
A dedicated de-addiction building at GMC Baramulla has been sanctioned Rs 5 crore, and Drug Treatment Centres (DTCs) have been made operational for structured treatment and follow-up care.
The government said preventive awareness campaigns are being conducted under NHM, NMHP, NAPDDR and the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in schools, colleges and community spaces. Training of teachers, health workers and grassroots staff is also underway, with more than 80 personnel trained since December 2025. The Drug Control Organisation has intensified enforcement under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and conducted 518 awareness programmes during 2025-26 up to December. A counselling helpline — 104 — has also been publicised for immediate assistance.
Authorities said coordination with neighbouring states, monitoring of courier services and regular NCORD (Narcotics Coordination Centre) meetings are being held to curb trafficking.
The government maintained that while drug abuse among youth remains a serious challenge, expanded treatment facilities, awareness programmes and community-based rehabilitation measures are being scaled up to prevent addiction and support recovery across J&K.
