Disturbing reports about drug addiction in J&K are coming from Government sources, police department, hospitals and social scientists. In an interview to the Indian Express, J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh has said that the drug menace the society is facing is a bigger problem than militancy. If an all-out war is not waged against this menace, it will destroy the entire society. Reports have indicated that the youth, especially in the valley, are using alcohol, cannabis and other drugs in increasing quantities. It is posing the greatest danger to the society. SMHS Hospital Srinagar sources have confirmed that pressure of drug addicts on Drug De-addiction Centres (DDCs) is steadily increasing. The things are going out of control and spoiling the socio-economic fabric of the society.
Already there is high rate of unemployment in the valley. Educational facilities are insufficient and inefficient. Teachers are ill-paid. Youth from affluent families have to go to far off places like Delhi, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Bengaluru, etc. to pursue higher studies. They often face prejudice and ill-treatment from their fellow students for being Kashmiris.
Police sources allege that some foreign forces are using drug addiction to destabilise the society. Drugs are being smuggled from across the border. J&K police sources say that between 2019 to 2022 (three years) the confiscation of heroin has increased by more than 100 per cent. There has been an increase of 60 per cent in FIRs under NDPS Act. In the same period, the arrests of drug peddlers also have registered steep increase.
The above facts indicate very serious problem J&K and especially the valley population has been facing. It is worrisome that the valley which has 90% Muslim majority and has had great tradition of being devoutly religious has fallen prey to drug addiction. If urgent corrective steps are not taken by social, religious, and political leaders, the future would be very bleak.
It is said that first a person drinks wine, then the wine drinks wine and finally the wine drinks the man and destroys the society. That is why Islam has completely prohibited wine and all other intoxicants. Drugs are not only intoxicating but destructive. That’s why every civilized society has banned drugs and prescribed harsh punishments for the offenders.
Previously the Punjab was facing the drug abuse problem. Now it is feared that J&K is moving to capture that infamous position. J&K and especially the Muslim majority valley must wage a jihad (utmost struggle) against the drug abuse and drug addiction, which has the potential of destroying the social fabric and economic prospects of the state.
It is always alleged that drug abuse has behind it a nexus between politicians and criminals. Three years back it was widely reported that narcotics worth `2100 crore were seized from one of Adani Seaports in Gujarat. Afterwards we did not hear who were the culprits and what action was taken against them. J&K is a very sensitive state. It is the duty of the Centre also to enlist the support of all concerned to wipe out the drug menace.
It is a part of Islamic faith that society should be free from all intoxicants. It is Umm al-Khabais (the mother of evils). If the Kashmiri Muslims do not fight the narcotic terror, they will gradually lose every good moral quality. It is time they rose to the occasion, fought the evils, reformed the society and presented the best example of how Islam creates good individuals and evolves an exemplary society.