Srinagar, Feb 20 : The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that more than 32,000 drug abuse patients have been registered across the Union Territory since 2022, with authorities intensifying treatment and rehabilitation measures under ongoing anti-drug initiatives.
Replying to queries by many legislators, the Health and Medical Education Department as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC stated, that a total of 32,517 patients have been enrolled for treatment, including 16,759 in Kashmir division and 15,758 in Jammu division.
As per official data, Srinagar recorded the highest number of cases in Kashmir division with 6,100 registrations, followed by Anantnag (2,157), Kulgam (2,075), Baramulla (1,623), Pulwama (1,312) and Budgam (1,166). Other districts include Bandipora (817), Shopian (713), Kupwara (552) and Ganderbal (244).
In Jammu division, Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu accounted for the highest registrations at 9,806 cases. It was followed by GMC Kathua (1,529), GMC Rajouri (1,227), Udhampur (968), Ramban (577), Doda (566), Poonch (359), Kishtwar (311), Samba (292) and Reasi (123).
The government said de-addiction services are being strengthened under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, with Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) operational in all districts of Kashmir and nine districts of Jammu division. These centres provide both outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) services for comprehensive treatment.
While de-addiction OPD services are available in all 20 districts of J&K, IPD facilities are functional in all Government Medical Colleges with psychiatrists deployed for specialised care.
The House was further informed that although there is no separate proposal to establish new de-addiction centres in Pulwama and Samba, an existing centre at Bajwani, Tral, caters to Pulwama district, and an ATF has been operational at District Hospital Samba since February 2024.
The government added that awareness drives, community outreach programmes and Panchayat-level monitoring mechanisms are being implemented to identify vulnerable youth and connect them with treatment and rehabilitation services. (KNC)
