Ishfaq-ul-Hassan
SRINAGAR: Behind his macho image lies a defeated man.
For eight years, Basit (name changed) consumed weed and heroin to get high, but instead, he went downhill losing everything in the process.
Sitting before a group of counselors, he burst into tears and poured his heart out. “Had I seen people suffering from addiction, I would not have consumed drugs. My friends told me it will not cause any harm. But eight years on, I have reached a stage where it is very hard to leave drugs,” said Basit.
How did he start?
Coming from an affluent family, he tried drugs to get high. But after a week, he started getting panic attacks. “I tried hard to leave drugs, but could not. I could stay good only for one hour without drugs. Later I start sweating, getting goosebumps, and aggressive behavior,” he said.
Basit started with smoking weeds which he continued for three-to-four years. Later he wanted to try new things and started administering heroin injections to get high. “I used foil once in 2012. But after I got stomach pain, I switched to injectables. I was studying and helping my family in the business. Somehow I developed this addiction which is now killing me,” he said.
How many people take drugs in J&K?
During the recent meeting of the state-level committee of the narco coordination center, it was informed that six lakh people are affected by drug-related issues in Jammu and Kashmir.
It was informed that Jammu and Kashmir is situated in close vicinity to the golden crescent which produces 80 percent of the world’s opium and is considered as the prime source of the illicit drug trade.
“Initially every drug addict takes drugs for the thrill. After one week, he starts feeling the craving. I was taking one gram injection. My body has developed a high tolerance level. I could not get high for more than a minute. A stage comes when addicts want to relieve pain rather than getting high,” said Basit.
Drug relapse cases
Data released by the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Kashmir, reveal that there have been 3538 admissions since the pandemic broke out last year. Interestingly, 12 percent of OPD attendees were first-time users who took to drugs during the lockdown period. Also, 24 percent of the drug abusers had relapsed during the lockdown.
Figures of SMHS hospital’s Drug De-addiction Centre reveal that 489 patients were treated in the Outpatients Department (OPD) in 2016-2017. The figures rose to 3622 in 2017-18 and 5113 in 2018-19. From April to June 2019, 1095 patients were treated in the OPD of SMHS hospital’s Drug De-addiction Centre.
Data shows that the number of patients admitted during 2015-2016 was 116. The number increased to 203 in 2015 -2016. Around 207 were admitted in 2016- 2017 followed by 374 in 2017-2018. The number increased to 624 in 2018-2019.
Police figures reveal that 21871 patients have been treated in Drug De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Center, Srinagar, from February 2008 to May 2019. Of whom 2315 were admitted to the indoor patients’ department.
Modus operandi
What has added a new dimension is that drug users have become peddlers to sustain their addiction. “My daily expenditure on drugs is Rs 3000. For example, if I am earning say Rs 30,000, wherefrom will I get Rs 60000?. What drug users do is that they take up peddling also. For example, if they sell three cents for Rs 3000, they earn enough money to sustain themselves. Plus they save seven cents which they used for personal consumption. I have seen people from very good families selling drugs to sustain,” he said.
Police figures reveal that 21871 patients have been treated in Drug De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Center, Srinagar, from February 2008 to May 2019. Of whom 2315 were admitted to the indoor patients’ department.
War on drugs
Data released by Jammu and Kashmir police reveal that 1132 drug-related cases were registered in 2020. Around 1672 persons involved in drug smuggling and peddling were arrested. Around 35 drug peddlers were booked under Public Safety Act (PSA).
Likewise, 152.18 kgs of heroin were seized in 2020. Besides, 563.61 kgs of charas/ganja and 22230.48 kgs of opium/poppy/cannabis derivatives were seized during the year. Around 339603 capsules, 57925 intoxicating bottles, and 265 intoxicative Injections were also seized during the anti-narcotics drive this year.
“Most of the drugs come from Punjab and the border. The consignment goes to Anantnag wherefrom it is sent to other districts,” said Basit.
( Name has been changed for privacy.)
