Drug abuse in Jammu and Kashmir has become a silent killer, thus admitted government long ago.
Its steely talons are indiscriminate and spare none—children, parents, the poor, and the rich. Every now and then, there are reports that some youth or the other has died due to drug overdose. Researches conducted globally have found that some of the reported overdoses were the result of people trying to self-treat their addiction drugs including opioids.
The government has already implemented a Drug de-addiction policy. It was said to be broader, encompassing means to effectively challenges various inter-linked aspects. The government carried many awareness programmes but the zeal with which it was started has faded. At almost all levels, the policy failed to meet the ends for which it was formulated and serious efforts, both at official and the societal levels are all but lacking.
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.
Youngsters linked to the drug trade are more victims than offenders, a Supreme Court judge famously said in 2019 and also lay bare not just the callousness towards children that is, regrettably a feature of the society, but also an awareness of the deep corruption that undermines the purpose of any institution for the vulnerable.
Anyone under 18 is a child as per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act and as expected the participation of minors in heinous crimes is painful. Deprivation and poverty besides other circumstances push children towards crime. The menace of drug addiction continues to be the biggest threat facing future generations. It is an illness with extensive consequences for those who know, work with, and support the drug-addicted individual(s).
The consequences of drug abuse are grave. The families suffer due to the cultural and social factors of drug behavior.
As more people try to find answers on how to battle the growing menace, there must be a discussion on attacking all facets of the problem. There is a need to address it as a health issue besides as a criminal act.
Without seeing it as both, it’s unlikely there can ever be a solution.
Silent Killer
