By Asif Iqbal Naik
Jammu, Feb 20, 2026: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that more than 32,000 individuals battling drug addiction have registered for treatment across the Union Territory since 2022, reflecting the growing scale of substance abuse as well as the administration’s intensified response under ongoing anti-drug initiatives.
Replying to queries raised by legislators in the House, the Health and Medical Education Department disclosed that a total of 32,517 patients have been enrolled for treatment during the period. Of these, 16,759 patients belong to Kashmir division, while 15,758 are from Jammu division.
According to official figures placed before the Assembly, Srinagar district recorded the highest number of registrations in Kashmir division with 6,100 cases. It was followed by Anantnag with 2,157 cases, Kulgam with 2,075, Baramulla with 1,623, Pulwama with 1,312 and Budgam with 1,166. Other districts in the Valley include Bandipora (817), Shopian (713), Kupwara (552) and Ganderbal (244).
In Jammu division, Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu accounted for the highest number of cases at 9,806. The figures were followed by GMC Kathua with 1,529 cases and GMC Rajouri with 1,227. Other districts include Udhampur (968), Ramban (577), Doda (566), Poonch (359), Kishtwar (311), Samba (292) and Reasi (123).
The government informed the House that de-addiction services are being strengthened under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, with Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) operational in all districts of Kashmir and nine districts of Jammu division. These centres are providing both outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) services to ensure comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation support.
While de-addiction OPD services are available in all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir, IPD facilities are functional in all Government Medical Colleges where psychiatrists have been deployed to provide specialised care.
The Assembly was further informed that there is currently no separate proposal to establish new de-addiction centres in Pulwama and Samba districts. However, an existing centre at Bajwani, Tral is catering to patients from Pulwama district, and an Addiction Treatment Facility has been operational at District Hospital Samba since February 2024.
The government added that awareness drives, community outreach programmes and Panchayat-level monitoring mechanisms are being implemented to identify vulnerable youth at an early stage and link them with treatment and rehabilitation services as part of the broader effort to curb drug abuse in the Union Territory.
