Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Ur Rehman Para on Wednesday expressed concern over the growing drug crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the problem cannot be addressed by targeting addicts alone while traffickers continue to operate.
Para said authorities must focus on the source of narcotics trafficking rather than only treating the symptoms of addiction.
“J&K’s drug crisis cannot be solved by targeting addicts while traffickers thrive. The fight must hit the source or symptoms,” he wrote.
Para also shared official figures regarding substance abuse in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that there are around 5.4 lakh opioid users, 1.7 lakh sedative users and 1.4 lakh cannabis users in the region.
Describing the situation as serious, the PDP leader said the issue was not merely statistical but reflected a wider social challenge affecting the younger generation.
“This is not a statistic. It’s a generation at risk,” he said, citing data from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The remarks come amid continued concern in Jammu and Kashmir over rising cases of drug addiction, particularly among youth, with civil society groups and political leaders repeatedly calling for stronger action against narcotics trafficking networks and greater rehabilitation support for affected individuals. [KNT]
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