Celine
The youth of Kashmir is no longer hungry for better opportunities, jobs, education, or a career, but is in desperate need of actively indulging in intoxicating substances. When Robert Frost asked to take the road not taken, the youth took it quite seriously and chose the worst road possible, rather than dealing with their problems and handling their situation like a mature person in their adulthood phase, they chose temporary moments of relief that these substances provide. They may find it cool and call it an experience, but is it about experiencing life or heading towards destruction?
The youth of Jammu and Kashmir have seen a drastic and severe increase in drug intoxication. According to recent data (2025–2026), Kashmir has reached an emergency level, with over 1.3 million people across Jammu and Kashmir affected by drug abuse. The most commonly used drug among youth is heroin, with an estimated 54,000 to 71,000 users, and addicts spend more than Rs 88,000 monthly, contributing to a massive increase in addiction.
According to reports, roughly 1.68 lakh addicts are minors from the ages of 10 to 17, highlighting a major risk of addiction. Studies have shown that initiation starts from the age of 11 among minors. Children who should be playing in the field and studying are now doing drugs in abandoned buildings, getting addicted to heroin. A land known for its scenic beauty is now facing a major crisis. Reports have shown that 33,000+ syringes are used daily by heroin addicts across the Union Territory. The crisis is fueled by factors including high unemployment, mental health issues, and easy access to substance abuse.
As drug abuse tightens its grip on Kashmir’s youth, the government has been forced into an aggressive, multi-layered response. The government has taken out campaigns like Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (flagship national program), which is India’s biggest anti-drug mission, with Kashmir as a priority zone. A 100-day “Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir” campaign was launched in 2026 as an intensive emergency effort. This campaign includes mass marches, awareness drives, a crackdown on traffickers, and a rehab push to protect youth from drug abuse. De-addiction infrastructure expansion includes 5 districts allocated for de-addiction centres, 20 addiction treatment facilities, and 1 integrated rehabilitation centre. This campaign not only spreads awareness but also shows system building. The national action plan for drug demand reduction focuses on treatment, counselling, rehabilitation, and mental health support. Rather than making it a criminal issue, they are focusing on it as a public health crisis.
The government is actively taking major initiatives to fight this growing epidemic at its root. This data shows that these campaigns have reached a significant number of people, with over 4.35 lakh individuals directly engaged through the Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan, and more than 90 lakh people covered under awareness drives. De-addiction centres witness new patients every day, and lakhs of young people are now aware of the dangers of drug abuse before falling into it. Educational institutions have become the frontline of prevention. Together, these steps point towards a gradual but important shift from silence to action.
While the crisis is still a serious problem in the region, there has been a visible increase in awareness, better access to treatment, and active efforts by the government to deal with it. More people are now coming forward to seek help, which shows that the issue is being acknowledged and slowly addressed in Kashmir.
