The ‘epidemic’ of drug abuse in younger generation has assumed alarming dimensions, the High Court of J&K and Ladakh observed and rightly underscored need for the concerned agencies ‘hand-in-hand’ with the community heads’ to come forward and deal with this menace with ‘iron hand’ to save the society more particularly the young generation and families.
The menace of illicit drug activities is undoubtedly a social problem that harms youth and their families. The abuse of alcohol and drugs has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality among adolescents worldwide. Many of these youth lose their lives to drugs and narcotics and a significant numbers are likely to grow up to become drug addicts, the court noted.
Drug abuse has surely emerged as a serious concern globally, adversely affecting the physical and socio-economic well-being of the country.
It has severe repercussions on public health across various sections of the society. The epidemic of drug abuse in the younger generation has assumed alarming dimensions and prevention among adolescents requires awareness about its destructive results.
Earlier this year, Lieutenant Governor rightly underscored that it is the collective responsibility of the society to rehabilitate youngsters who have fallen prey to drug addiction.
In the recent past, steely talons of drugs have directly or indirectly affected almost every one, children, parents, the poor, and the rich.
As per Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, an estimated 10 lakh residents in a population of 1.25 crore (or 8%) were drug addicts in J&K in 2019-20. 1,08,000 men and 36,000 women were found abusing cannabis; 5,34,000 men and 8,000 women were found consuming opioids; 1,60,000 men and 8,000 women were found using sedatives of different kinds; and 1,27,000 men and 7,000 women were reported to be on inhalants, the Ministry said.
There is a need to understand the problem in-depth and proper data to know the enormity becomes very essential. Those who seek help for getting them out from the clutches of addiction seem to be few and the overall problem appears to be colossal. There is a need for focused attention on how to rescue those who could be and also importantly how to wage a decisive war against the menace, targeting its roots.
The government has time and again said that it was fully committed to strengthening action-framework and taking a firm stance against drug abuse, besides providing “practical solutions like evidence-based prevention, treatment, and care to emerge as a winner in achieving the goal of a drug-free-society.” A collaborative effort by every stakeholder is imperative to check the menace.
