IMHANS Kashmir Treats 9,387; 17 suicides, 83,208 released from de-addiction centre
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: Over the past five years, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a sharp increase in drug-related cases, including large-scale narcotic seizures, rising arrests under the NDPS Act, destruction of illegal cultivation, and a surge in de-addiction treatment seekers.
Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said, “Over the last five years, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a persistent and concerning trend of narcotic drug seizures”.
Adding that he said, according to NCRB data, in 2018, a total of 19,353.68 kilograms of drugs were seized along with 87,713 units and 7,997.22 litres of psychotropic substances. This number rose significantly in 2019, with seizures amounting to 26,517.39 kilograms, 1,64,428 units, and 2,133.30 litres. In 2020, the figures slightly increased to 27,361.35 kilograms, 6,18,361 units, and a massive 40,890.11 litres.
However, there was a decline in the years that followed. In 2021, seizures dropped to 22,082.41 kilograms, 1,71,954 units, and 4,069.23 litres. In 2022, the numbers further decreased to 17,192.41 kilograms, 3,00,776 units, and 956.10 litres.
Arrests made under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Jammu and Kashmir also saw a fluctuating but overall upward trend. In 2018, 1,460 individuals were arrested, followed by 1,884 in 2019. The number dropped to 1,564 in 2020 but increased again to 2,355 in 2021. The highest number of arrests during the five-year period was recorded in 2022, with 3,453 individuals apprehended in connection with narcotics-related offenses, MoS MHA said.
Significant efforts have also been made in the destruction of illicit crops. Between 2020 and 2024, Jammu and Kashmir saw the eradication of a considerable amount of illegally cultivated poppy and cannabis, he said.
Adding that he said that a total of 893 acres of poppy cultivation were destroyed in 2020, followed by 293 acres in 2021, 89 acres in 2022, 233 acres in 2023, and 521 acres in 2024, whereas, Cannabis destruction was also carried out on a large scale, with 295 acres in 2020, increasing to 523 acres in 2021, 365 acres in 2022, 947 acres in 2023, and 971 acres in 2024.
The Government of India, through its de-addiction initiatives, has extended treatment and counselling services to thousands in Jammu and Kashmir.
Under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the number of individuals availing services increased from 1,509 in 2020–21 to 4,365 in 2021–22. The numbers saw a sharp rise to 9,774 in 2022–23 and further escalated to 31,432 in 2023–24, reaching 35,948 in 2024–25, he said.
Additionally, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Drug Treatment Clinic at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) in Kashmir reported 3,207 new registrations in 2021–22. This rose to 3,334 in 2022–23, 1,457 in 2023–24, and 1,389 up to January 2025, bringing the cumulative number of patients treated at the centre to 9,387, MoS MHA said.
It was further informed in Lok Sabha that since 2018, as many as 17 suicides were committed due to Drug abuse/Alcoholic Addiction in Jammu and Kashmir. It was also stated that in Jammu and Kashmir, 10 de-addiction centres are functioning.
Since 2020, as many as 83, 208 people were enrolled in different de-addiction centres were discharged that included 1509 during FY 2020- 21; 4365 during FY 2021- 22; 9774 in FY 2022- 23; 31432 in FY 2023- 24 and 35948 in FY 2024- 25.
