A survey conducted by Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) has revealed that 52000 people consume heroin in Kashmir.
The survey revealed that in 2016, the Oral Substitution Therapy (OST) Centre at the Government Medical College in Srinagar reported 489 drug addict cases, which went to 3000 in 2017. In 2019, the number jumped to 7,000 and crossed the 10,000 mark in 2021 with an overall 2,000% spike in the past five years.
Figures are alarming and these are a cause of concern for everyone. The increase in the number of drug abuse cases needs to be taken seriously. Society needs to introspect and think why more and more youth are taking refuge in drugs? The younger generation needs to be made aware about the ill effects of the drugs. The youngsters need to be told that they are ruining their lives and are on a suicidal mission.
The government and the law enforcing agencies only cannot help. People have to help themselves and save the generation-next of Kashmir from turning into drug addicts.
Parents have an important role in the lives of their children. They have to ensure that their wards don’t fall in a bad company. The drug sellers usually target the youngsters as they are aware that teenage boys and young adults are innocent and they can be trapped easily.
The charity has to begin from home. Parents and other elders have to counsel their children first within the homes. They have to observe their habits and keep on talking to them to know what’s going in their minds and with whom they are spending their time.
Teachers in schools have to ensure that their students don’t indulge in any such activity that could take them on a wrong path. It has been observed that the drug sellers usually lay their traps around the educational institutions.
A strict vigil needs to be maintained around schools and colleges to keep the drug traffickers at bay.
More than 52000 youth consuming heroine in Kashmir is a dangerous sign. It’s high time for everyone to wake up to prevent this menace from spreading further in the society. Youngsters need to understand that by abusing drugs they are making lives of their loved ones difficult and are not also doing any favour to themselves.
Alarming Figures
