J&K plans rehabilitation centers for recovering addicts

The J&K administration is planning to establish rehabilitation centres across the state to help recovering addicts reintegrate into society, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said Monday as he led the “Drug-Free J&K Padyatra” in south Kashmir's Kulgam district.

Talking to the TOI on the sidelines of the event, Sinha said the campaign has significantly disrupted drug trafficking networks across J&K. “Our campaign has broken the supply chain and those involved in drug trafficking are facing tough times,” he said.

Sinha said hundreds of people affected by drug addiction are contacting Tele-MANAS Srinagar, the national mental health helpline, every day to seek treatment and counselling. He said the campaign has also encouraged public participation, with residents directly informing police about drug-related activities in their localities.

The LG said de-addiction centres are functioning in all districts of Jammu and Kashmir and counsellors have been deployed to provide psychological support and long-term treatment to recovering addicts.

Unlike many other parts of the country, where rehabilitation facilities are largely run by the private sector, the proposed centres in Jammu and Kashmir will be established in the government sector and made available in every district, he said.

Addressing the gathering at the event, Sinha said that over the past 51 days, they have carried out extensive, coordinated operations against narco-terrorists and drug traffickers.

Sinha had on April 11 launched a 100-day intensive drive under the Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan to make Jammu and Kashmir “drug-free”. The campaign has involved large-scale awareness programmes by the civil administration and police, destruction of poppy cultivation, random urine testing of drivers and intensified crackdowns on drug networks.

Since the campaign was started 923 FIRs have been registered against alleged drug traffickers in the last 51 days. More than 1,000 alleged drug smugglers have been arrested, over 55 alleged drug traffickers have been detained.

“This campaign is striking directly at the financial backbone of terrorism. Every rupee spent on drugs fuels extremist violence, and narco-terrorists survive on that blood money. By halting the drug trade, we cut off the lifeline that sustains terror networks,” he said.

According to a survey, “Prevalence and Pattern of Substance Use Disorders in Ten Districts of Kashmir” carried out by the IMHANS Kashmir in 2023, the Valley has estimated 67,468 substance-dependent individuals. The survey said heroin is the most widely used opioid.