Srinagar, Sep 30 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government has said that 528 drug-awareness programmes were conducted across the Union Territory up to August 2026, while 21 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) are currently functional across Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
The government, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), made the disclosure in a written reply to Question raised by MLA Sham Lal Sharma (Jammu North) regarding the increasing incidence of drug addiction in J&K and measures being taken to check the menace.
According to the Health and Medical Education Department, the government is cognisant of the growing challenge of substance abuse and has adopted a multi-pronged strategy involving enforcement, prevention, awareness, treatment and rehabilitation.
The department said the increasing incidence of drug abuse is attributable to multiple factors, including availability and illicit supply of intoxicating substances, their diversion or misuse for non-medical purposes, inter-State movement of drugs and psychotropic substances, socio-economic factors and behavioural factors.
As part of its preventive strategy, special awareness programmes are being conducted at the district level in coordination with stakeholders to sensitise the public about the harmful effects and misuse of drugs and psychotropic substances. During 2026-27, up to August 2026, a total of 528 awareness programmes had been conducted.
The government also said Toll-Free Health Helpline No. 104 is being publicised through awareness programmes and print/electronic media to facilitate access to guidance, counselling and assistance.
The department said it has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act/Rules and other applicable statutory provisions, particularly cases involving unauthorised sale, distribution or diversion of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
It further said CCTV cameras have been installed in medical establishments and computerised billing systems for procurement and sale of medicines have been made mandatory, as per applicable regulatory requirements. The department said 100 percent achievement has been reported regarding CCTV installation and 99.8 percent in respect of computerised billing.
The government said vigilance is also being maintained over courier service providers to detect and prevent clandestine movement of intoxicating medicinal preparations and drugs liable to misuse.
On inter-State coordination, the department said Drug Control authorities are coordinating with Drug Controllers and regulatory authorities of neighbouring States/UTs for exchange of information and coordinated action to prevent inter-State diversion, smuggling and illegal movement of drugs and psychotropic substances.
It added that concerted efforts are being undertaken with enforcement agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau, Police, Excise, Revenue and Air Cargo authorities, to prevent illicit trafficking, diversion and supply of intoxicating drugs and medicinal preparations.
The department further said regular inter-departmental meetings of the National Coordination Committee for Drug Control (NCORD) are being held at the UT and district levels under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary and concerned Deputy Commissioners to review and monitor measures for prevention of drug abuse and strengthen inter-agency coordination.
De-addiction facilities across J&K,The government said drug de-addiction services are being strengthened across J&K under the Health and Medical Education Department and the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
In Kashmir Division, Addiction Treatment Facilities are functional at SKIMS, GMC Bemina Srinagar, GMC Anantnag, GMC Baramulla, GMC Handwara, District Hospital Kulgam, District Hospital Shopian, District Hospital Pulwama, District Hospital Budgam, District Hospital Ganderbal and District Hospital Bandipora.
The government said 11 ATFs are functional in Kashmir Division, providing both out-patient department (OPD) and in-patient department (IPD) services.
In Jammu Division, ATFs are functional at GMC Doda, GMC Jammu, GMC Kathua, GMC AH Rajouri, GMC AH Udhampur, District Hospital Kishtwar, District Hospital Poonch, District Hospital Ramban, District Hospital Reasi and DH Samba.
Thus, 10 ATFs are functional in Jammu Division, providing both OPD and IPD services.At the UT level, the government said de-addiction OPD services are functional in all 20 districts of J&K, ensuring access to counselling and treatment.
It further said IPD services are available in all nine Government Medical Colleges (GMCs), catering to both male and female patients, while psychiatrists are posted in all GMCs to provide clinical oversight.
The government said the policy framework for these services has been implemented under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and Health Department initiatives.
NGOs, private rehabilitation centres The department said details of NGOs associated with curbing the drug menace are enclosed in the reply.
The NGOs listed include Cultural Economic and Environmental Organisation, Budgam; Cause NGO, Pulwama; J&K Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses, Kulgam; J&K Students Welfare Mission, Bandipora; Himalayan Sewa Sang, Jammu; and J&K Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses (JKSPYM).
Regarding private rehabilitation centres registered in J&K, the government listed Help Psychiatry Centers, Jammu District; Parivartan Foundation De-addiction, Rehabilitation cum Mental Health Centre, Jammu Division; Healthy Mind (Neuropsychiatry Clinic), Udhampur District; Aaghaz DDC, Baghi Mehtab; Grooming Kashmir, DDC, Hyderpora; and Shifaa DDC, Lawaypora, Srinagar.
The government said it is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy for prevention and control of drug abuse, with emphasis on reducing the availability and diversion of drugs liable to misuse, strengthening regulatory and enforcement mechanisms, increasing public awareness, facilitating treatment and rehabilitation, and ensuring coordination among concerned departments and enforcement agencies—(KNO)