Srinagar, Mar 15: The healthcare authorities in north Kashmir’s Kupwara have raised concerns following the identification of hundreds of substance abusers in the district. They said if the current situation persists, it could lead to a disaster for the district.
According to data shared by the office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Kupwara, a total of 1065 cases of substance abuse have been reported, out of which 561 individuals have undergone treatment, with 287 individuals having successfully recovered as of February this year.
The health officials said the department in the Kupwara district has initiated a comprehensive campaign against substance abuse, resulting in some positive developments.
Providing detailed statistics, the health authorities mentioned that as of February 28, 2024, a total of 555 calls were made to report substance abuse cases. However, 216 of these calls were found to have invalid mobile numbers. Additionally, 28 individuals are receiving treatment for Hepatitis C, and five are currently under police custody.
In the initial two months of 2024, 41 cases of substance abuse were identified and counselled, evenly distributed between January and February.
Doctors at the associated hospital in Handwara have reported receiving an average of three substance abusers daily. The Union Health Ministry has inaugurated a drug de-addiction centre at the hospital to cater to these cases, eliminating the need to transfer patients to Baramulla or other facilities.
Chief Medical Officer of Kupwara, Dr Ramzan, acknowledged the significant role played by Asha workers in identifying substance abusers. He highlighted the challenges they face and praised their dedication, stressing that without their support, reaching affected individuals would be nearly impossible.
He urged parents to maintain strict vigilance over their children and appealed for community support in the fight against drug abuse. Despite encountering repeated cases of abuse, he expressed optimism due to the determined efforts of the district administration, anticipating better outcomes in the future.
Several individuals have participated in drug addiction programs and shared their success stories. Notably, a high-ranking official from the education department and numerous students, including engineering students, who were previously involved in substance abuse, have successfully overcome their addiction.
“This is due to the collective efforts of healthcare professionals and the community,” Dr Ramzan said. He reiterated the commitment of healthcare authorities to eradicate the menace of substance abuse from the district. However, he said that without active support from all stakeholders, this goal would remain elusive.
