Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 3: In a deeply concerning revelation, over 8.5 lakh people in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are addicted to various narcotic substances, with users spanning an alarming age range of 10 to 75 years, according to official data.
The figures, compiled by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, highlight the widespread nature of substance abuse cutting across generations—from minors to senior citizens.
Replying to a question by Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the data is based on the National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India.
The survey was conducted by the Ministry through the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences to assess the magnitude and pattern of substance abuse across the country.
According to the findings, more than 8.5 lakh individuals in Jammu and Kashmir within the 10–75 years age bracket are using different types of narcotics.
A detailed break-up shows that around 1.40 lakh people consume cannabis, 5.50 lakh are dependent on opioids, and 1.70 lakh use sedatives. Additionally, nearly 1,000 individuals are addicted to cocaine, about 2,000 use amphetamine-type stimulants, and another 1,000 consume hallucinogens.
Highlighting the government’s response, the minister said that under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), the Centre is supporting multiple intervention and rehabilitation facilities in the Union Territory. These include one Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA), two Community-Based Peer-Led Interventions (CPLIs), three Outreach and Drop-in Centres (ODICs), six District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs), and 21 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs).
The data underscores the urgent need for intensified awareness, early intervention, and community-based rehabilitation efforts, especially given the disturbing spread of drug addiction across such a wide age spectrum. |
