JAMMU, Feb 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that over 32,000 drug abuse patients have been registered across the Union Territory since 2022, as authorities step up treatment and rehabilitation efforts under ongoing anti-drug initiatives.
Responding to queries from legislators, the Health and Medical Education Department said a total of 32,517 patients have been enrolled for treatment — 16,759 in the Kashmir division and 15,758 in the Jammu division.
According to official figures, Srinagar recorded the highest number of cases in the Kashmir division with 6,100 registrations. It was 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 the Jammu division, Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu reported the highest number of 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) functioning in all districts of Kashmir and nine districts of the Jammu division. These centres provide both outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) services to ensure comprehensive care.
While OPD services are available in all 20 districts of J&K, IPD facilities are operational in all Government Medical Colleges, where psychiatrists have been deployed for specialised treatment.
The House was also informed that although there is no separate proposal to set up new de-addiction centres in Pulwama and Samba, an existing centre at Bajwani in Tral caters to Pulwama district, and an ATF has been operational at District Hospital Samba since February 2024.
The Government added that awareness campaigns, community outreach programmes and Panchayat-level monitoring mechanisms are being implemented to identify vulnerable youth and link them with treatment and rehabilitation services. (Agency)
