Jammu, February 5: In a significant move to combat the rising menace of drug addiction, Jammu and Kashmir’s Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo announced on Thursday that the government will table a comprehensive bill addressing narcotic substance abuse during the ongoing legislative assembly session.
Speaking in the assembly, Minister Itoo revealed that the rules for de-addiction have been finalized and forwarded to the law department for review. This legislative push comes amid alarming statistics: from 2022 to date, 49,276 cases of drug abuse have been registered across the union territory.
Breaking down the numbers, she noted 16,759 cases in Kashmir and 32,517 in Jammu, highlighting the widespread crisis affecting communities on both sides of the Pir Panjal range. ‘The bill is ready, and we will present it in this very session,’ Itoo assured the house, emphasizing the government’s commitment to tackling this public health emergency.
The announcement follows earlier efforts, including a private member’s bill by NC legislator Tanvir Sadiq, which mandated education on the perils of drug addiction in schools. Sadiq had withdrawn it upon government assurances of action.
Official data paints a grim picture. Parliamentary reports indicate nearly 1 million people in J&K are grappling with substance abuse, accounting for about 8% of the population. A 2023 estimate by a parliamentary committee pegs the figure even higher at 1.35 million users, predominantly aged 18-75.
This surge underscores the urgency for robust legislation. The proposed bill aims to strengthen de-addiction frameworks, enforce stricter controls, and support rehabilitation. As the assembly deliberates, stakeholders hope it marks a turning point in J&K’s battle against drugs.