JK Faces Drug Crisis: 6,562 Cases, 9,424 Arrests in 4 Years

JK Faces Drug Crisis: 6,562 Cases, 9,424 Arrests in 4 Years ( photo: KL)

Asif Iqbal | December 12, 2024 | 06:47 PM IST | Crime, Jammu Kashmir | Follow on Google News

JK Faces Drug Crisis: 6,562 Cases, 9,424 Arrests in 4 Years

JK Faces Drug Crisis: 6,562 Cases, 9,424 Arrests in 4 Years

The number of cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPSA) in Jammu and Kashmir has seen a dramatic increase over the past two decades, with arrests more than doubling during the same period.

Caught in drugs According to data shared by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Rajya Sabha, 985 cases were filed in 2004, leading to the arrest of 1,380 individuals. By 2023, these figures had surged to 2,149 cases and 3,072 arrests, marking a substantial escalation in drug-related crimes in the region.

The data was presented in response to a question raised by MP C Ve Shanmugam, shedding light on the scale of the drug menace in Jammu Kashmir. In recent years, the numbers have shown a steady rise: 1,543 cases with 2,217 arrests in 2021, 1,885 cases with 2,755 arrests in 2022, and finally the peak in 2023. These figures underline the increasing prevalence of substance abuse and trafficking, prompting questions about the efficacy of current measures to combat the crisis.

Earlier, in the Lok Sabha, MP Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi also raised concerns about the growing drug problem in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the alarming rise in heroin addiction. Responding to his query, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment highlighted the findings of the 2018 National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India. The survey revealed that 354,000 people in the region were alcohol users, while 151,000 were involved in opioid abuse. Significant numbers were also reported for cannabis and sedative use. The government has implemented several initiatives under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) to tackle the issue. Programmes like the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) have reached more than 98 lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir, including 8 lakh youth and 9 lakh women. In the financial year 2023-24, over 31,000 individuals in the region received treatment for drug addiction at facilities including one Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA), five District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs), and 20 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) in government hospitals.

Despite these efforts, the infrastructure remains under strain due to the rising demand for rehabilitation services. This has led to calls for an expansion of de-addiction centres in the region to meet the needs of patients seeking help. The government has also pointed to cross-border drug trafficking from Pakistan as a major contributor to the problem. It has cited measures such as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2011 between India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) to combat illicit drug trade. India has also raised concerns about drug trafficking at international platforms, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the SAARC Drug Offence Monitoring Desk. The growing numbers of cases and arrests highlight the urgent need for a more robust response to drug abuse and trafficking in Jammu and Kashmir. With addiction and trafficking on the rise, the region faces significant challenges in curbing this menace.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by VoM News staff and is published from syndicated feed)

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.