Cases of drug abuse in the Valley have been on the rise. The Health Service Department, in its December 2022 report on drug abuse, has ranked Kashmir second, ahead of Punjab, among the states in the country. The latest reports from the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment suggest that nearly 10 lakh people (including women) in the Valley are victims of drug abuse. Of this, 1.44 lakh are cannabis consumers, 5.34 lakh men and 8,000 women are opioid consumers, and 1.6 lakh men and 8,000 women are sedative addicts. The actual figures are likely to be much higher as many drug users are reluctant to admit or seek medical attention fearing backlash from family or society. A definite linkage has been established between drug addiction and crime. Investigations have revealed that drug abusers initially turn to stealing to obtain the cash required to buy drugs. In desperate cases, this can further escalate to committing murders. The reasons for the rising trend of drug abuse in Kashmir are complex and multifaceted, and the consequences could be devastating, requiring immediate attention. Drug abuse is most prevalent among teenagers and young adults, significantly impacting their physical and mental health, as well as their education and future prospects. Among the many factors contributing to the drug menace in the region, the ongoing conflict remains the most important. The conflict has had a significant impact on the social, economic, and psychological lives of the locals. It has affected the infrastructure and economic development prospects of the region, leading to increased unemployment and poverty. The youth, faced with these hardships and the daily realities of life, are resorting to drug use as an escape route.
Another factor is the easy availability of drugs and Pakistan’s involvement in transporting drugs to Kashmir and from Kashmir to the rest of India. With the abrogation of Article 370 and successful counterterrorism operations by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, sponsored terrorism by Pakistan has significantly decreased. The number of active militants has fallen from 250 in December 2019 to around 100 in January 2023. As a result, Pakistan has turned to drug peddling and introduced ‘Heroin’ in Kashmir as a well-orchestrated policy of narco-terrorism, targeting the Kashmiri youth. The aim of this strategy is twofold. Firstly, it aims to degrade the youth, especially when the Indian government is making deliberate efforts for economic and emotional integration with the Kashmiri youth. The possibility of Kashmiri youth participating as equal stakeholders in India’s growth is the biggest fear of our adversary, and hence Pakistan’s attempt to undermine this process. Secondly, Pakistan desires to fund terrorism in Kashmir and keep the conflict ongoing. The Indian government’s efforts against terror financing have left residual terrorists without funds, leading terrorist organizations like LeT, HM, and JeM to shift their focus to narco-terrorism. Drug-addicted youth lose their cognitive abilities and become susceptible to radicalization, driving them towards illicit activities.
Security agencies have busted numerous narco-terror modules and arrested several individuals with large quantities of drugs and money. The most recent incidents occurred in March 2023 in Poonch, with the recovery of 7 kg of heroin, and in December 2022 in Kupwara. Cultural factors in Kashmir also contribute significantly to this trend. Alcohol and drug use are sometimes seen as a way of demonstrating machismo, especially among the youth, leading to social pressure to engage in substance abuse. Peer pressure, particularly among school and college-going students, also plays a role. The desire for easy money is also luring the youth towards drug peddling and related crimes. This is destroying the social fabric of Kashmir, which otherwise has a very low crime rate. Dealing with the Menace Irrespective of various measures being undertaken by the Government and Security Forces, Kashmir’s fight will have to be led by Kashmiris themselves. The drug menace in Kashmir is not just a law and order issue; it is crucial to understand the deeper interests of our adversary in targeting the young minds and bodies of Kashmir Only a multi-dimensional approach can effectively curb the menace of drug abuse. Efforts must be made towards prevention and control, with equal emphasis on treatment and rehabilitation. Strategies should be devised to target both the demand and supply chain while raising awareness among youth about the ill-effects of substance abuse. Crackdowns on suppliers, peddlers, and facilitators should be prioritized. Deterrent punishments and penalties should be awarded to all drug convicts to discourage them from engaging in substance abuse. Educators, political leaders, and religious scholars need to take the initiative and guide the youth away from drug trafficking by actively conducting targeted awareness drives. An effective campaign against drugs needs to be implemented urgently to arrest the trend, which is unfortunately lacking at present. Social influencers and personalities should leverage social media platforms to enhance public awareness regarding substance abuse. Counseling and medical rehabilitation programs should be expanded across the valley to provide avenues for addicted youth to seek help. Active contribution from all stakeholders is necessary to eliminate this menace and save the Kashmiri youth from falling into the nefarious designs of our adversary.
