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 has increased nearly nine-fold in five years, rising from 5,382 in 2021-22 to 46,491 in 2025-26.
The figures were disclosed by the Ministry in Rajya Sabha in response to a question by MP Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo on the prevalence of substance abuse, treatment of drug addiction and availability of de-addiction facilities in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the district-wise data, 46,491 people were treated for drug addiction during 2025-26, compared to 40,546 in 2024-25, 36,588 in 2023-24, 27,843 in 2022-23 and 5,382 in 2021-22.
Jammu recorded the highest number of people treated during 2025-26 at 9,960, followed by Srinagar with 6,204, Kulgam with 5,765, Bandipora with 5,769 and Rajouri with 5,561. Kupwara accounted for 4,530 cases, while Pulwama recorded 3,433 and Budgam 2,693.
The government data also shows a sharp rise in treatment numbers in several districts over the five-year period. Srinagar, for instance, recorded 1,601 cases in 2021-22, which increased to 7,495 in 2022-23 before settling at 6,204 in 2025-26. Jammu recorded 2,639 cases in 2021-22 and 9,960 in 2025-26.
The Union government, however, said the figures relate to persons treated at centres supported by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and do not represent the overall prevalence of drug addiction in the region.
As per the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India, conducted in 2018 through the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of AIIMS, the estimated number of users of opioids in Jammu and Kashmir stood at 5.4 lakh among people aged 10-75 years. Alcohol users were estimated at 3.9 lakh, while cannabis users were estimated at 1.4 lakh.
The survey estimated the prevalence of opioid use at 4.91 per cent, alcohol use at 3.50 per cent and cannabis use at 1.31 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Ministry said it is currently supporting one Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA), 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.
It said these facilities form part of the government’s efforts under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), which provides support for preventive education, awareness generation, rehabilitation and treatment services.
The government also said that more than 11,000 calls from Jammu and Kashmir have been received on the national toll-free de-addiction helpline 14446, which provides primary counselling and referral services.
Under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the Ministry said more than 1.20 crore people in Jammu and Kashmir have so far been sensitised through awareness and outreach activities, including over 69.14 lakh youth and 51.20 lakh women. It added that 8,565 Nasha Mukt Mitras have joined the campaign in the Union Territory.
The ministry said the campaign, launched in 2020 and subsequently expanded across the country, focuses on awareness about substance abuse, particularly among students and young people in educational institutions, universities and schools.
