Srinagar, Jun 10: Narcotics and addiction are still one of the biggest challenges confronting J&K, however, over the past few months, addiction specialists believe, they are seeing a silver lining.
There is a slow, but noticeable increase in the number of people seeking treatment for drug addiction, they witness.
Just this month, for one of the national Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) meetings, the Drug Deaddition and Treatment Center of SMHS Hospital decided to compare the data of people seeking treatment for addiction.
The specialists took data of April and May, 2025, and April and May, 2026.
In April 2025, 130 new (addiction) patients had registered themselves for treatment.
This April, the number increased to 181.
In May 2025, 120 people came forward and registered for de-addiction at the Center and this May the number rose to 145.
The follow-ups had more stark difference.
While 15,564 follow-ups were seen in April-May 2025, this year, in these two months, 20,138 patients came for follow-up treatment of addiction disorder.
Doctors treating these patients believe the sustained enforcement action against drug traffickers and aggressive discussions around drugs as a disorder are making positive impact.
“More people are talking about the drug issue we are facing, and it is making some impact in helping people suffering from substance abuse issue come forward,” says Prof Yasir Hassan Rather, De-Addiction Specialist and In-charge for DTDC SHS Hospital.
He said silence around a serious issue like drugs breeds more dangerous problems.
“The religious leaders are talking about drugs, the schools are, the politicians are. Addiction is being recognised as a disorder, and more and more people are understanding that treatment is possible at the right place, with the right experts,” Dr Rather said.
He said, although the numbers may look modest, but gains will be reaped over the coming years.
Prof Rather said the cost of drugs had increased over the years due to crackdown on supply channels.
“A gram of heroin now costs somewhere around Rs 7000. It was around Rs 4000 a couple of years ago,” he said.
The price-rise, he said, makes access and affordability an issue.
“Many people come to us for this reason – they cannot afford their addiction now,” he said.
At GMC Anantnag, which hosts a fast expanding network of psychiatrists and addiction experts, similar trends are being seen.
DrMansoor Ahmed, Head Department of Psychiatry at this medical college said there could be a number of reasons why more people are coming forward for treatment, more than before.
“There surely is greater awareness, and there also is lesser availability of drugs,” he said.
Dr Ahmed said a majority of people seeking treatment are “not motivated but pushed by circumstances, usually financial”.
“However, whatsoever be the reason of them coming forward, it is a gain. We hope to retain them on treatment. Life without drugs is appealing to everyone who has been on the path of this self destruction,” he said.
Over the past few years, law enforcement agencies have intensified anti-narcotics operations in J&K.
Thousands of cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act have been registered and a similar number of alleged traffickers arrested.
Shocking quantities of drugs are seized every year in J&K and around its borders.
Targeted destruction of supply chains has been underway.
In addition, the past couple of years have also seen treatment infrastructure expanding.
De-addiction facilities are now operational across many districts.
