Drug Abuse Bill to Be Tabled in Current Assembly Session, Says Minister Sakina Itoo

Jammu, Feb 5: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday said it will introduce a comprehensive bill to combat drug abuse during the ongoing Legislative Assembly session, signalling a renewed push to address the rising substance abuse challenge in the Union Territory.

Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo informed the House that the draft legislation has been completed and is prepared for tabling in the current session. The proposed law is expected to focus on prevention, treatment, and recovery mechanisms while reinforcing institutional support systems.

Her remarks came while responding to National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq, who had earlier proposed a private member’s bill advocating mandatory education on the dangers of addiction in school curricula. Sadiq later withdrew the proposal after receiving assurances that the government would take policy action.

Providing further details, Itoo said the administration has also finalised the Drug De-addiction Rules, which have been sent to the Law Department for legal review. Once cleared, these rules are expected to guide implementation and regulatory oversight.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding awareness initiatives and rehabilitation infrastructure, emphasising that a coordinated strategy is essential to curb drug dependency and safeguard young people across the region.