DRUG MENACE IN J&K

Editorial . . . . . .

There isn’t a day that goes by that the local media doesn’t report on the arrest of some drug dealers somewhere in the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. The regular reporting shows that the problem is widespread, and even while the daily reports may not be drawing much attention from the general public, they unquestionably speak volumes about the rot that society is dealing with. Along with heroin and other dangerous substances, police in J&K have been confiscating locally cultivated charas and Buki. The deadliest enemies of the people of J&K are those engaged in such evil businesses. It goes without saying that when an area is used to smuggle narcotics, the local population, especially the youth, is always at risk, which is why we have been noticing an increase in the number of drug users in this region. Although the threat of drug usage and trafficking has been covered in daily newspaper columns countless times, even to the point of sounding repetitious, the seriousness of the social situation necessitates this repetition. The merchants of death who are engaged in this bloody trade must be dealt with harshly and ruthlessly. It is encouraging to see that both the administration and J&K Police are taking the problem seriously and are making great efforts to resolve it. Huge quantities of illegal substances are being captured virtually every day as a result of these operations. Observing daily reports on drug misuse and trafficking in Jammu and Kashmir’s local newspapers, the situation is extremely dangerous since drug addiction is turning into society’s biggest problem and more and more people, especially the young, are suffering from it. Although statistics are not yet available to determine the exact number of drug abusers in the region, reports of drug trafficking arrests, drug seizures, and drug de-addiction centre record coming in daily are enough to guess that the issue is more serious than what is initially reported. In addition, a large number of people visit the de-addiction centres that the health department constructed nearly in every district for treatment and rehabilitation purposes, but the numbers are growing daily as each day goes by. Despite the fact that there has been much written and said about the problem and that the government and social organisations are making every effort to assist addicts in overcoming the problem and resuming their lives, the problem only seems to be getting worse with each passing day. The reality is that drug trafficking and abuse cannot be stopped by relying solely on government agencies, a small number of social organisations, and medical professionals.

The populace must respond persuasively and collectively. People need to realise that the deadliest enemies of the people in Jammu and Kashmir are those who cultivate bhang in their fields, as well as those who smuggle heroin and brown sugar into the region. While doing so, they may be making money, but the health and lives of the young people in the community are being sacrificed in order to make that money. It is the people to realise the impending disaster and take up the fight against drug trafficking. Religious leaders and social activists in Jammu and Kashmir have a crucial role to play in winning this battle. Elders from the mohalla and the village must also play a part. They should keep a strict watch on their neighbourhoods as law-abiding citizens, and if they discover anyone engaging in such activities, they should seek assistance from law enforcement agencies to put a stop to the crime.