SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has seen a sharp rise in the number of individuals seeking treatment for drug addiction over the past five years, with 35,639 people benefiting from government-supported de-addiction centres in 2023-24, data presented in the Lok Sabha reveals.
The number of cases has increased 145 times in the last five years, rising from 247 in 2019-20 to 35,639 in 2023-24.
However, Ladakh continues to have no de-addiction facilities, leaving affected individuals without access to rehabilitation services.
In 2019-20, only 247 individuals in Jammu & Kashmir received treatment at de-addiction centres, indicating either limited awareness or a lack of facilities at that time. Meanwhile, Ladakh, which became a Union Territory in 2019, had no reported cases as no centres were operational in the region.
By 2020-21, the number of beneficiaries in JK increased to 1,509, suggesting a growing awareness of rehabilitation programs. However, Ladakh still recorded zero cases due to the absence of government-supported de-addiction centres, the data states.
In 2021-22, drug addiction cases in JK rose significantly to 5,372, more than three times the previous year’s figure, marking the beginning of a major surge in substance abuse cases. Despite this, Ladakh remained without any facilities, and no individuals were recorded as receiving treatment.
The trend continued in 2022-23, with 17,018 people undergoing treatment at de-addiction centres in J&K, reflecting the increasing severity of drug abuse in the region. Despite the growing need for rehabilitation services, Ladakh remained without any government-supported de-addiction centres.
By 2023-24, JK reported its highest number of cases yet, with 35,639 individuals benefiting from de-addiction services—a nearly 145-fold increase from 2019-20. However, Ladakh’s status remained unchanged, with no government-supported centres available for addiction treatment. (KNO)
