Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Health and Education, Sakeena Itoo, said on Monday that there is a need to arrest the “big fish” in order to control the growing drug menace in the region and protect future generations.
During an interaction with mediapersons, the minister said the drug menace is a sensitive issue and emphasised, “We have to save our future generation.”
She stressed the need for collective responsibility from all stakeholders — including civil society and religious groups — to tackle what has become a deepening crisis in the Union Territory.
The phenomenon, which was hardly evident in Kashmir before 2016, has seen an unprecedented surge in recent years.
“Making Kashmir a drug-free society is the collective responsibility of every stakeholder and community. The administration, health department, and police alone cannot control the prevailing drug menace,” she said.
“There is a need to catch the big fish. Arresting only those committing the crime at a lower level won’t help in controlling the drug menace,” she added.
“If we have to eradicate the drug menace in Kashmir, we all should take this responsibility. Until and unless we all take up the responsibility, we won’t succeed in it. The government and the police are doing their job,” Itoo said.
According to official data shared by the Central Government in Parliament, the number of people affected by drug abuse in Jammu and Kashmir has reached nearly 10 lakh, which is about 8 per cent of the total population.
The Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment has conveyed to the Parliament that approximately 13.50 lakh drug users are estimated to be in Jammu and Kashmir, with the majority falling within the age bracket of 18 to 75 years.
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