‘Udta Kashmir’: New study reveals 7% of drug users are women

Srinagar: A new study has revealed that seven percent of drug users in Jammu Kashmir are women.

National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India, has revealed that there are over nine lakh active drug users in Jammu and Kashmir. Of them, 62000 are women who are hooked to Cannabis, Opioids, Sedatives, Cocaine, Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), Inhalants, and Hallucinogens. Women account for 6.88 percent of total drug abusers in J&K .

 Data said 36000 female addicts consume psychoactive drugs. More than 8000 female addicts use opioids. Another 8000 women use sedatives.

Over 1000 females consume Cocaine. The study revealed that ATS consumption among women is growing by the day.

More than 7000 and 1000 females consume inhalants and Hallucinogens in Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the survey, a huge proportion of the men in the union territory are involved in drug addiction. It said that over 933000 people consume different drugs.

It said that 534000 and 108000 males consume opioids and cannabis in Jammu and Kashmir.

 According to a report published by the United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), 31 percent of the drug addicts in Kashmir are women.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been constantly seeking assistance from Non-Governmental organizations and releasing funds under various rehabilitation programs to combat the menace.

The Centre has released Rs 2.23  and 1.56 crores during the last four years to NGOs and Substance Abuse Professionals respectively for assisting the government in drug de-addiction programmes in Jammu and Kashmir.

 Dr. Yasir Ahmad Rather, Consultant Psychiatry and Associate Professor at IMHANS said they have been receiving female drug abusers but their number is not that much.

 He said these women usually develop this addiction from their male counterparts.

“Last year we received some 25 women drug abusers. They consume opioids and other Intravenous drugs usually and some develop this addiction due to self-medication,” he said.

 He said these women become addicts after imbibing this habit from their husbands, and other male counterparts including colleagues or boyfriends. “Some become addicts while staying in a place like Chandigarh where the influence of drug addiction is much,” Dr. Yasir said.