The ongoing effects of drug addiction in Kashmir continue to loom over the state’s inhabitants, creating widespread social, financial and public health problems. However, a small but powerful revolution is slowly occurring throughout the valley of Kashmir.
For years, families throughout the Kashmir valley have had to bear witness to their loved ones suffering from substance abuse, as it robbed them of their health, future, dignity and worth.
Substance abuse has a large number of complex causes, and if we want to help people recover from this terrible epidemic, we cannot just tell them, ‘Hey, stop doing drugs’ or ‘You should get help.’
We must have a network of qualified compassionate professionals who will provide needed support to substance abusers on a continuum of care.
Kashmir’s treatment centre network is now having a tremendous impact on the majority of people in the valley who suffer from substance abuse issues.
Through their work with these treatment centres, dedicated teams of professionals, including counsellors, medical professionals and support staff, have been providing hundreds of thousands of people with the lifeline they need to rebuild their lives after suffering substance abuse.
Each treatment centre offers a complete package for recovery including medical detoxification, psychological counselling, skills training and, just as importantly, support in reintegrating into the community.
Treatment centres and their staffs understand that healing someone is not only about helping them recover from their addiction, it is also about healing their connections with their families and communities.
The stories coming out of these treatment centres are some of the most inspiring we have heard in a long time. Young men and women, who were once thought to have been lost, are now rebuilding their lives after their struggles.
The men returning to education and training and restoring previous relationships with family members is not only a great success for the persons recovering but also for each family unit, and by extension, each community.
Fathers have reulahtary to their children and sons are again assuming the role of support for their elderly parents. Every success achieved by an individual is actually a success for the entire family unit and therefore a success for the community as a whole.
A key part of helping people who are addicted to drugs is providing a safe space where they are able to have their needs met without being judged, thus lowering the stigma associated with seeking treatment.
The centres are changing the public perception of addiction as a disease (health condition) versus a moral failing (wrong doing). Recovery is achievable and is taking place on a daily basis.
As noted above, however, there is still much work to be done towards preventing addiction. Education and public awareness and support are critical components of this process.
But because these centres exist and have had tremendous success, we have evidence that the only view (narrative) to be gained by the people of Kashmir is that of hope.
