Drug Abuse Crisis in Jammu & Kashmir: Over 1.3 Million Affected as Heroin Use and Youth Addiction Surge
By: Javid Amin | 07 January 2026
A Grim Milestone: Drug Abuse Reaches Alarming Levels in Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir is confronting one of the most severe social and public health crises in its recent history, with over 1.3 million people now affected by drug abuse, according to official estimates. The figure represents a dramatic rise from approximately 600,000 cases just three years ago, underscoring the speed and scale at which addiction has spread across the region.
Health experts, security agencies, and community leaders warn that the crisis has moved beyond isolated pockets and is now deeply embedded in society, threatening youth, families, economic productivity, and even national security.
What was once perceived as a marginal problem has evolved into a multi-dimensional emergency—combining public health collapse, social disintegration, and the growing menace of narco-terrorism.
From 600,000 to 1.3 Million: Understanding the Surge
The near-doubling of drug users in a short span has raised urgent questions about why addiction has escalated so rapidly.
Key Drivers Behind the Sharp Rise
Officials and researchers point to several converging factors:
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Increased availability of narcotics, particularly heroin
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Expansion of drug trafficking networks
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Psychological stress among youth
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Prolonged social disruption and economic uncertainty
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Stigma that delays early treatment
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Limited rehabilitation infrastructure
Public health authorities caution that these figures likely represent only reported or estimated cases, suggesting the actual number could be even higher.
Heroin at the Center of the Crisis
Among all substances, heroin has emerged as the dominant and most destructive drug in Jammu & Kashmir.
A Disturbing Trend
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Rehabilitation centers in Srinagar report a 200% rise in patients over the past five years
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A majority of admissions involve heroin dependency
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Users are getting younger, with cases reported among teenagers
Medical professionals describe heroin addiction as particularly devastating due to:
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Rapid dependency
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Severe withdrawal symptoms
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High relapse rates
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Elevated risk of overdose and death
Doctors warn that heroin’s grip on the Valley represents a tipping point, beyond which the social cost could become irreversible.
Youth at the Epicentre: Fear of a Lost Generation
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the crisis is its overwhelming impact on young people.
Who Is Most Affected
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Adolescents and young adults
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College students
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Unemployed and underemployed youth
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School dropouts
Experts fear that an entire generation is at risk, with addiction disrupting:
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Education
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Career prospects
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Mental health
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Family stability
Sociologists caution that widespread youth addiction could permanently weaken the region’s human capital.
Addiction and Mental Health: An Overlooked Link
Health professionals stress that addiction in Kashmir cannot be understood in isolation from mental health challenges.
Common Underlying Factors
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Depression
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Anxiety disorders
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Trauma and unresolved psychological stress
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Social isolation
Many young users initially turn to drugs as a coping mechanism, only to become trapped in dependency. This has overwhelmed mental health institutions, especially IMHANS, which is struggling to meet rising demand.
Faith-Based Outreach: Mosques Join the Fight Against Drugs
In a significant shift, the administration has launched faith-based interventions to combat addiction.
Historic Step
For the first time:
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100 mosque imams in Srinagar have been formally engaged
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Anti-drug messages are being delivered during Friday sermons
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Addiction is being framed as a medical condition, not a moral failure
Officials believe religious leaders can:
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Break stigma
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Encourage families to seek help
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Promote compassion over condemnation
This approach recognises the deep social influence of religious institutions in Kashmiri society.
Reframing Addiction: From Sin to Sickness
One of the most critical policy shifts is the push to describe drug addiction as a disease.
Why This Matters
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Reduces shame and secrecy
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Encourages early treatment
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Improves family support
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Aligns with modern medical understanding
Religious scholars involved in the campaign have been urged to reinforce that seeking treatment is an act of responsibility, not disgrace.
Narco-Terrorism: When Drugs Become a Security Threat
Authorities have sounded repeated alarms over the growing nexus between drug trafficking and terrorism.
What Officials Warn
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Drug money is being used to fund extremist activities
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Cross-border networks exploit narcotics routes
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Youth addiction weakens social resilience
Security forces have intensified operations against narco-terror networks, arresting traffickers and attaching properties linked to the drug trade.
Officials describe the fight against drugs as both a public health mission and a national security imperative.
Security Forces Step Up Operations
Recent months have seen:
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Increased seizures of heroin
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Arrests of local distributors and couriers
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Financial investigations into drug-linked assets
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Coordination between police, intelligence, and enforcement agencies
Authorities say dismantling supply chains is essential, but acknowledge that reducing demand is equally critical.
The Crushing Burden on Rehabilitation Centers
Despite stepped-up efforts, rehabilitation infrastructure remains critically inadequate.
Key Challenges
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Overcrowded de-addiction centers
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Long waiting periods for treatment
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Shortage of trained psychiatrists and counselors
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Limited long-term rehabilitation facilities
Health officials warn that without massive capacity expansion, many addicts will be left without timely care.
Stigma: The Silent Accelerator of Addiction
Social stigma remains one of the most formidable barriers.
Why Families Stay Silent
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Fear of social ostracism
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Concern over marriage prospects
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Misconceptions about addiction
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Lack of awareness of treatment options
By the time many families seek help, addiction has often progressed to advanced, harder-to-treat stages.
Economic and Social Costs of the Drug Epidemic
Beyond health, addiction imposes enormous economic and social costs:
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Loss of workforce productivity
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Increased healthcare spending
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Family impoverishment
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Rise in petty crime
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Educational dropouts
Economists warn that unchecked addiction will slow regional development for decades.
Community Involvement: A Crucial Missing Link
Authorities increasingly stress that government action alone is insufficient.
Community-level strategies include:
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Local monitoring and reporting
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Peer support groups
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School-based awareness programs
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Parental engagement initiatives
Experts say sustainable recovery requires collective ownership of the problem.
Policy Response: Treating Addiction as a Priority Crisis
The government has elevated drug abuse to a top policy concern, integrating:
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Health departments
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Education institutions
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Religious bodies
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Law enforcement
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Social welfare agencies
Senior officials emphasise that inter-departmental coordination is essential for long-term impact.
Editorial Analysis: A Defining Test for Jammu & Kashmir
The revelation that 1.3 million people are affected by drug abuse marks a defining moment for Jammu & Kashmir.
This is no longer:
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Just a health issue
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Just a law-and-order issue
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Just a social problem
It is a combined crisis that threatens the region’s future stability, security, and demographic dividend.
What Success Will Look Like
Experts say progress must be measured by:
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Decline in first-time drug users
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Earlier intervention and treatment
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Reduced relapse rates
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Expanded rehabilitation capacity
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Normalisation of mental health care
The Road Ahead: Urgency Without Panic
While the numbers are alarming, health experts caution against despair. Evidence from other regions shows that well-coordinated, stigma-free, and sustained interventions can reverse addiction trends.
But time is critical.
Conclusion: Saving Lives, Securing the Future
With over 1.3 million people affected, drug abuse in Jammu & Kashmir has reached crisis proportions. The rise of heroin, the vulnerability of youth, and the shadow of narco-terrorism make this challenge uniquely dangerous.
The current response—combining health care, faith-based outreach, security action, and community engagement—offers hope. But success will depend on continuity, compassion, and courage.
The fight against drugs in Jammu & Kashmir is ultimately a fight to protect lives, preserve families, and secure the future of an entire generation.
Final Editorial Note
History will judge this moment by how decisively and humanely the crisis was addressed. The choices made today will shape Kashmir’s social and security landscape for decades to come.
