SRINAGAR: The number of people treated for drug addiction at centres supported by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir rose to 46,491 in 2025-26, the highest annual figure recorded in the last five years, according to data tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The number marks a sharp increase from 5,382 in 2021-22, while 27,843 people were treated in 2022-23, 40,546 in 2023-24 and 36,588 in 2024-25.
The data were provided in response to a Rajya Sabha question on the prevalence of substance abuse, treatment facilities and measures to strengthen prevention and rehabilitation services in JK.
Jammu recorded the highest number of treatments in 2025-26 at 9,960, followed by Srinagar with 6,204, Bandipore 5,769, Kulgam 5,765 and Rajouri 5,561. Kupwara recorded 4,530 cases, while Pulwama accounted for 3,433 and Budgam 2,693.
The Union Government said its 2018 National Survey on the extent and pattern of substance use, conducted through the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre at AIIMS, estimated that 5.4 lakh people in JK were opioid users, representing a prevalence of 4.91 per cent among the 10-75 age group.
The survey also estimated 3.9 lakh alcohol users, 1.4 lakh cannabis users, 1.7 lakh sedative users and 1.35 lakh inhalant users in JK.
At present, the Ministry is supporting one Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts, three Outreach and Drop In Centres, two Community-based Peer Led Intervention programmes, six District De-Addiction Centres and 21 Addiction Treatment Facilities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Government said these facilities are being supported under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), which provides financial assistance for prevention, awareness, treatment, rehabilitation and capacity-building.
The Centre also operates the 14446 de-addiction helpline, which has received more than 4.6 lakh calls nationally, including over 11,000 calls from Jammu and Kashmir.
Under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, more than 1.20 crore people in JK have so far been sensitised, including over 69.14 lakh youth and 51.20 lakh women. The campaign has also enrolled 8,565 Nasha Mukti Mitrs in the Union Territory.
The Government said the campaign, launched nationally in 2020 and extended to all districts in 2023, focuses on awareness and outreach in schools, higher educational institutions and university campuses, besides other community-level interventions.
