SRINAGAR: The number of individuals undergoing treatment for drug addiction in Jammu and Kashmir has surged to 46,491 in the fiscal year 2025-26, marking the highest annual figure in the past five years. This substantial increase was disclosed in data presented before the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Information was available with The Chenab Times detailing a significant uptick from previous years. In 2021-22, the number of treated individuals stood at 5,382. This rose to 27,843 in 2022-23, followed by 40,546 in 2023-24, and 36,588 in 2024-25, before reaching the current peak of 46,491.
The data was provided in response to a specific question raised in the Rajya Sabha concerning the extent of substance abuse, the availability of treatment facilities, and strategies being implemented to reinforce prevention and rehabilitation services across the Union Territory.
Geographically, Jammu district reported the highest number of treatments for drug addiction in 2025-26, with 9,960 cases. Srinagar followed with 6,204 cases, while Bandipore recorded 5,769, Kulgam 5,765, and Rajouri 5,561. Other districts with significant numbers of treated individuals include Kupwara (4,530), Pulwama (3,433), and Budgam (2,693).
The Union Government referenced findings from its 2018 National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use. This survey, conducted by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre at AIIMS, estimated that approximately 5.4 lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir were users of opioids. This represented a prevalence rate of 4.91 per cent within the age group of 10 to 75 years.
The same survey also provided estimates for the usage of other substances in the region. It indicated that around 3.9 lakh individuals were estimated to be alcohol users, 1.4 lakh were cannabis users, 1.7 lakh used sedatives, and 1.35 lakh were identified as inhalant users.
Currently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is supporting a network of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in Jammu and Kashmir. This network includes one Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts, three Outreach and Drop In Centres, two Community-based Peer Led Intervention programmes, six District De-Addiction Centres, and 21 Addiction Treatment Facilities.
These facilities receive financial backing under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). This comprehensive plan aims to provide assistance for various aspects of drug abuse management, including prevention, awareness generation, treatment, rehabilitation, and capacity building for professionals in the field.
In addition to these centres, the Union Government operates a national de-addiction helpline, numbered 14446. This helpline has received over 4.6 lakh calls nationwide, with more than 11,000 calls originating from Jammu and Kashmir.
Under the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ (Drug-Free India Campaign), extensive awareness and outreach efforts have been conducted in Jammu and Kashmir. The campaign has so far sensitised over 1.20 crore people in the Union Territory, including approximately 69.14 lakh youth and 51.20 lakh women. The initiative has also facilitated the enrolment of 8,565 ‘Nasha Mukti Mitrs’ (Drug-Free India Friends) across Jammu and Kashmir.
Launched nationally in 2020 and subsequently extended to all districts in 2023, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan focuses on targeted awareness campaigns in educational institutions, including schools, higher education centres, and university campuses. It also incorporates various community-level interventions to combat drug addiction.
The Chenab Times News Desk