52K persons take intravenous heroin, 70K involved in substance use in J&K: Survey

Srinagar: As many as 52,000 persons are taking intravenous (IV) heroin while 70,000 are involved in substance use across the 10 districts of Kashmir valley, said a survey conducted by Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, (DHSK).
The results of a survey titled “Emerging Issues of Drug de-addiction, Tobacco Free Generations” were revealed here at a state-level workshop.
The workshop was chaired by Director Health Services Kashmir. Doctors from different health institutions across Kashmir participated in the day-long event.
Giving reference to the recent survey conducted by Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), nodal officer NMHP, DHSK Dr Majid Shafi said smoking is cent percent a gateway towards drug abuse.
“The survey we have recently conducted across 10 districts showed results of grave concern. We have 52,000 people involved in intravenous heroin while 70,000 are substance users. People start with smoking and graduate with cannabis,” he said.
Dr Shafi said the average cost of heroin per user is 3000 rupees per day. “We have found out in our survey that 25 percent of the drug users are unemployed. So this is enough to understand the gravity of the situation,” he said, adding, the survey report will be soon put out in the public domain.
In his speech, Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad said it was the high time to do counselling right at the village/block level. “The government has already started a sustained fight against drug abuse. The numbers in the survey are shocking. We need to put systematic efforts to eliminate this menace,” he said.
He appealed to the doctors to lead by example and make all the health facilities across Kashmir division smoke free.
“Doctors must start taking steps to quit smoking. It should be completely discouraged across the health facilities. We as doctors need to lead by an example. All is not gone. We can win this war,” he said.
Terming the drug abuse a serious issue, the Director health said the district helplines will be started in the next few weeks.
“If our neighbour’s house is burning today, tomorrow it can be our own house. This is how drug abuse is spreading. The Directorate of Health will take every step to eliminate the menace,” he added.