Kashmir valley has for long been grappling with the issue of drug abuse. However, once thought to be confined to isolated pockets, the issue has now taken root across cities, towns and villages alike. The consequences are visible across generations and are affecting the health, stability and future of many. While social awareness around this issue has grown over time, the scale and reach of substance abuse continue to deepen. According to figures presented in the Lok Sabha, over 1.12 lakh kilograms of narcotic substances have been seized in Jammu and Kashmir since 2018. Nearly 10,000 individuals have been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act during this period. The Ministry of State for Home Affairs acknowledged a continuing rise in drug trafficking, illegal crop cultivation and substance dependency. These developments reflect an increasingly organised network of narcotics trade that law enforcement agencies are attempting to disrupt through surveillance, raids and legal action. Figures from the National Crime Records Bureau show a surge in drug seizures between 2018 and 2020. The year 2020 marked the peak, with more than 27,000 kilograms of drugs and over 40,000 litres of liquid narcotics confiscated. Although the quantity of seized substances declined in subsequent years, authorities have cautioned that this does not indicate a reduction in trafficking. Instead, it points to the use of more sophisticated and hidden methods of smuggling. A similar pattern is evident in the number of arrests. From 1,460 arrests in 2018, the numbers fluctuated but eventually hit a high of 3,453 in 2022. Alongside the trade and consumption of narcotics, the Union Territory has also been grappling with the issue of illicit crop cultivation. The impact of drug abuse extends beyond law enforcement metrics. It is a public health challenge and a humanitarian crisis that touches individuals and families on multiple levels. The government has attempted to expand access to rehabilitation and treatment services. Supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the number of individuals availing de-addiction services in Jammu and Kashmir rose from just over 1,500 in 2020–21 to more than 35,000 in 2024–25. In total, over 83,000 people have received treatment and been discharged from centres across the Union Territory during this period. Despite these efforts, the demand for such services still far outweighs the available infrastructure. At present, only ten de-addiction centres are functioning in the region, making outreach a challenge in rural and remote areas. The emotional and psychological toll is also reflected in the reported suicides linked to substance abuse. Since 2018, at least 17 deaths by suicide have been officially connected to drug or alcohol addiction. These numbers, though troubling on their own, may represent just a fraction of the underlying reality, as many such cases go unreported or are attributed to other causes due to stigma or lack of mental health evaluation. The situation continues to evolve, demanding coordinated responses across healthcare, education, policing and community engagement.
Drug Menace
