SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has acknowledged that drug cases are increasing across the Union Territory, with 528 awareness programmes conducted up to August 2026 as part of measures to address substance abuse.
The Health and Medical Education Department, in a reply to an Unstarred Assembly question tabled by Jammu North MLA Sham Lal Sharma, said the Government had adopted a multi-pronged strategy covering enforcement, prevention, awareness, treatment and rehabilitation.
The department attributed the increase in drug abuse to multiple factors, including the availability and illicit supply of intoxicating substances, diversion and misuse of medicines for non-medical purposes, inter-State movement of drugs and psychotropic substances, besides socio-economic and behavioural factors.
The Government said awareness programmes were being conducted at district level in coordination with stakeholders to educate people about the harmful effects and misuse of drugs and psychotropic substances.
The 104 toll-free health helpline is also being publicised through awareness programmes and print and electronic media to provide guidance, counselling and assistance, the department said.
CCTV compliance reaches 100 Percent
As part of its regulatory measures, the department said it had adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules and other applicable laws, particularly unauthorised sale, distribution or diversion of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
It said CCTV cameras had been installed at medical sale establishments, while computerised billing for procurement and sale of medicines had been made mandatory under applicable regulatory requirements.
According to the department, 100 per cent achievement has been reported for CCTV installation, while compliance with computerised billing stands at 99.8 per cent.
The requirements are also being checked at the time of granting or renewing drug sale licences, it said.
The department said vigilance was being maintained over courier service providers to detect and prevent clandestine movement of intoxicating medicinal preparations and drugs liable to misuse.
It is also coordinating with Drug Controllers and other regulatory authorities in neighbouring States and Union Territories to exchange information and take coordinated action against inter-State diversion, smuggling and illegal movement of drugs and psychotropic substances.
Coordination with enforcement agencies
The Health Department said it was working with the Narcotics Control Bureau, Police, Excise, Revenue and Air Cargo authorities to prevent illicit trafficking, diversion and supply of intoxicating drugs and medicinal preparations.
Regular meetings under the National Coordination Committee for Drug Control (NCORD) are also being held at UT and district levels. The meetings are chaired by the Chief Secretary at the UT level and the concerned Deputy Commissioners at the district level.
The mechanism is being used to review measures taken by various departments and agencies and strengthen inter-agency coordination, according to the reply.
De-addiction facilities expanded across UT
The Government said drug de-addiction services were being strengthened across J&K under the Health and Medical Education Department and the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
It said Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) are functional in all districts of Kashmir Division and all ten districts of Jammu Division, with OPD and IPD services available at different levels.
In Kashmir Division, ATFs are functional at SKIMS, GMC Bemina Srinagar, GMC Anantnag, GMC Baramulla, GMC Handwara, and district hospitals in Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal and Bandipora.
The department has reported 11 functional ATFs in Kashmir Division, with six IPD beds per district as stated in the reply.
In Jammu Division, facilities are operational at GMC Doda, GMC Jammu, GMC Kathua, GMC Associated Rajouri, GMC Associated Udhampur, and district hospitals in Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, Reasi and Samba.
The Government said de-addiction OPD services are functional in all 20 districts of J&K, providing access to counselling and treatment, while IPD services are available in all nine government medical colleges for male and female patients.
Psychiatrists are also posted in all government medical colleges to provide specialist clinical support, the reply said.
NGOs and private centres
The Government has also listed NGOs associated with efforts to curb the drug menace, including the 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).
The department also provided details of registered private de-addiction centres and clinics in J&K. These include Help Psychiatry Centers, Jammu; Parivartan Foundation Deaddiction, Rehabilitation cum Mental Health Centre, Jammu; Healthy Mind (Neuropsychiatry Clinic), Udhampur; Aaghaz DDC, Baghie Mehtab; Grooming Kashmir DDC, Hyderpora; and Shifaa DDC, Lawaypora, among others listed in the annexure.
The reply was issued by the Health and Medical Education Department on September 25, 2026.
