The challenge of narcotics abuse in Jammu and Kashmir continues to be a matter of deep concern, touching families, communities, and institutions alike. It is a complex issue that cannot be addressed through enforcement alone, nor can it be resolved by awareness campaigns in isolation. What is increasingly evident is the need for a balanced, compassionate, and well-coordinated response that combines firm action against traffickers with sustained support for those struggling with addiction. In this context, the evolving strategy being pursued through the Narco Coordination Centre reflects a thoughtful attempt to build such an integrated framework across the Union Territory.
Recent data shared by the administration offers an insight into both the scale of the problem and the intensity of the response. During 2025, law enforcement agencies registered 1,863 FIRs in drug-related cases and arrested 2,592 individuals. Judicial outcomes have also shown improvement, with 229 convictions involving 270 persons recorded during the year. Preventive detention under the PIT NDPS Act has been used against 240 habitual offenders, indicating a focus on incapacitating repeat peddlers and traffickers. These figures point to a more proactive enforcement posture while also underlining the continuing magnitude of the challenge. A notable dimension of the current approach is the emphasis on weakening the financial backbone of drug syndicates. Jammu and Kashmir now ranks among the leading regions in the country in terms of property attachment under the “Proceeds of Narcotics” provisions. Assets worth about ₹70.67 crore have already been attached, while properties valued at around ₹50 crore are at various stages of confirmation. In 2025 alone, 259 houses and 111 vehicles linked to drug offenses were attached. This focus on financial investigation sends a clear message that illicit gains will not be allowed to translate into long-term security for criminal networks. Supply reduction efforts have also yielded measurable outcomes. Seizures during field operations included 296 kilograms of charas, 53.8 kilograms of heroin, and 397 kilograms of ganja. To curb pharmaceutical drug abuse, more than 27,500 capsules of substances such as pregabalin and tapentadol, valued at ₹12.76 lakh, were seized. In addition, around 736 acres of illicit cannabis and poppy cultivation were destroyed across the Union Territory. These actions reflect sustained pressure on multiple segments of the drug supply chain. At the same time, the administration has recognised that enforcement must be complemented by strong public health interventions. Training programmes have been expanded to build local capacity for counselling and early intervention. So far, about 2,450 medics and paramedics, 537 teachers, and 81 self-help group members have been trained to provide basic support and guidance. Oral substitution therapy and de-addiction services are being gradually strengthened, with plans to establish inpatient facilities at all district hospitals. Monitoring of beneficiaries through dedicated digital platforms and Aadhaar-based systems is being pursued to improve continuity of care and reduce misuse. These steps reflect a growing understanding that recovery is a long-term process that requires consistent follow-up and community support. Such sustained outreach helps reduce stigma, encourage early help-seeking, and build collective responsibility for prevention. Technology is gradually reshaping anti-narcotics operations. Artificial intelligence-based tools demonstrated for investigating officers and prosecutors aim to assist in framing charges, analyzing evidence, and guiding legal processes. Proposals for command centres to monitor vulnerable locations through real-time CCTV feeds and the use of satellite imagery to detect illicit cultivation point towards a more data-driven approach.
Overall, Jammu and Kashmir’s evolving NCORD strategy reflects a quiet but significant shift towards a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. By combining enforcement, financial investigation, treatment, rehabilitation, community engagement, and technology, the administration is laying the foundation for a more resilient response to the drug menace. Sustaining this momentum with empathy, transparency, and consistency can gradually reduce both supply and demand and offer hope to families and young people seeking a healthier and more secure future.