The Jammu and Kashmir government is set to introduce its landmark Drug De-addiction Bill in the Legislative Assembly during the ongoing Budget session. Described as a historic piece of legislation, the bill faced several hurdles and revisions before receiving strong backing from the government.
The move is being viewed as a proactive step to institutionalise the fight against substance abuse, which remains a key priority for the administration.
On Saturday, the government confirmed that the comprehensive bill on drug de-addiction is ready and will be tabled during the current session.
Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo said the Jammu and Kashmir Police are working hard to curb the menace of drug addiction, while the Health Department is focusing on recovery and rehabilitation of affected persons.
She stressed the need to intensify operations against the drug trade and syndicates that have worsened the crisis in the Union Territory.
The minister also noted the emerging trend of mixed substance abuse across the region, with varying patterns observed in different areas.
The proposed bill and the government’s clear division of responsibilities reflect a systematic approach to tackling a long-standing issue in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to various estimates, the Union Territory has nearly 1.3 million substance abusers, with recent trends indicating a steady rise in cases of drug trade and consumption across different age groups.
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