By: Raqif Makhdoomi
Jammu and Kashmir has lost the fight against Drug addictions . Jammu and Kashmir tops the list of having the highest number of drug addicts . 13.5 lakh people are involved in addictions , which means 8% of the total population is involved in addiction . In Indian Union territory JK tops the list . We have officially reached a place where we can’t use “IF” . Our vocabulary has changed to “If Not Done” . It’s high time that something is done or .We shall loose the generations to come . Few years back it was hard to find a drug addict but now it’s very common that a drug addict is walking by your side . There used to be a time when drug addicts used to consume drug when the sky used to turn dark but now they do it in open . The shame of being a drug addict has faded away . When they are confronted they reply by saying “We do drugs by buying them of our own money . you are no one to stop us”. These words are enough to leave one speechless . The age group of drug addicts range from 17 to 75 . Not to forget both the genders are equally involved .
A very important question here needs to be asked that “How are drugs so easily available?” Not only available but in such a good quantity , that they are able to give it to others . They have a code words to ask it . They say “Bachav Ya”, which means if you have some give some to me as well . And when they drug addicts see anyone they know under the influence of drugs they says “Ye chu tich karith or Ye chu line karith” . Which means he has consumed Heroin. They have their own sign language . Which they use to have conversation to ensure that others don’t understand
While as Jammu and Kashmir tops the list in union territories in being drug addict UT . It also leads UTs in being most of the cases under NDPS to be registered . Kerala being top among states in drug addictions .
STATISTCS OF CASES REGISTRED UNDER NDPS IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR
As of September 2025, 1,342 NDPS cases were registered in J&K, leading to 1,305 chargesheet filed in court. In the Kashmir Valley alone, around 1,000 cases were registered and nearly 1,400 people arrested in 2025, with properties worth over ₹70 crore attached. Government of India informed the Rajya Sabha that 2,232 NDPS cases were registered in J&K in 2023, making it the highest among Union Territories. In 2025, 81 properties worth ₹16.64 crore were attached, and 215 detentions were made under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in NDPS Act (PITNDPS). 222 hotspots were identified, with 44 demolished, and 1,350 individuals under active surveillance.
Even after so many efforts , the drugs are still available very easily . The loop hole needs to be identified. Drug dealers need to be curbed more than the addicts . We can’t expect that addiction level to go down till we don’t curb the dealers . We need to hold snake by it’s head . We aren’t at the place where we have to chop the branches of the tree . But we have to uproot the tree and ensure that we don’t leave anything back. over 160 kg of heroin was seized in 2021. In 2023-2024, the focus heavily shifted toward disrupting smuggling, with significant seizures of heroin worth hundreds of crore. In late 2024/early 2025, Jammu Police reported a major crackdown with over 28 kilograms of heroin recovered in various cases, having a market value of over Rs 129 crore . (2019-2021): Data from the Narcotics Control Bureau showed nearly 400 kg of heroin was seized in J&K between March 2019 and December 2021.
DRUGS USED FOR DRUG ABUSE IN JAMMU AND
KASHMIR
Heroin remains the first choice of the drug addicts . What I am amazed at is “ How’s this so easily available . That every addict is easily able to lay his or her hand on it “. What’s more amazing is that it reaches to addicts easily . For those addicts I have spoken to they have never been in shortage of Heroin . All they need to have is money . Cannabis in Kashmir remains the most preferred drug in Kashmir . The problem is that , Charas which’s highly consumed in Kashmir . It’s seen as a way to achieve a form of spirituality and this concept has made it very common in kashmir . other things used for drug addiction are buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, and a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Tramadol like pills are among the favorite things for drug addicts . pregabalin and Clonazepam are also used for addiction . Crystal methamphetamine also known crystal meth is also used as a drug . The meth is one of the highly addictive drugs .
There are people who have crossed the levels of addiction . The things they used for addiction are used socks, they apply liquid polish on bread and eat it . The dirtiest among all these remains “Used sanitary pad” . The pads are boiled in water and the steam is inhaled . While I spoke to a guy who used to do such drugs . Explained it to me with full joy . I was taken aback when I heard him speaking all this .
REASONS FOR DRUG
ADDICTION
When we talk about Jammu and kashmir , the major reason for drug addiction is “Unemployment”. The growing rate of unemployment is the reason for growing addiction in Jammu and kashmir . The other factors that influence drug addictions are Peer pressure , friend circle, family stress, environment , social influence , biological factors and early childhood trauma. Family plays a very important role in deciding will one become drug addict or not . Slum areas are the hot spot of drug addiction .
INDICATORS OF DRUG
ADDICTION
Like every other things a person involved in drug addiction shows symptoms.
A sense of euphoria or feeling “high”, red eyes , dry mouth , major food carving at unusual times , lack of attention , loss of interest in work , increase alertness, behavioral change , behavior change or aggression , poor judgment, hallucination, intolerance to noise , insomnia , involuntary eye movements and irregular heart beats . The indicators I have mentioned are of many drugs . As different drugs show different indicators . Out of which anger issues , behavioral change , changes in food habits , red eyes , dizziness and insomnia are some common indicators .CONCLUSION
Drug addiction often leads to death. It attacks kidneys and that becomes the major cause of death. Overdosing also leads to death . Addictions starts with “Let me try once” and ends with death. JK has no other option other than to go war footing to deal with crises or shall loose a generation .
Raqif makhdoomi is a law student and a human rights activists.
