Integrated efforts of society, administration and police may help J&K steer up this whirlpool

In order to curb the drug menace in the UT, Kashmir Police have arrested 1685 drug peddlers so far and that includes 138 infamous drug traffickers. Also, Police have seized large quantity of contrabands and psychotropic substances during different anti drug operations.  The arrest of drug peddlers is a welcome step and must be appreciated but still more needs to be done in that regard. Many experts are of the opinion that cultivation of poppy and the trade of other drugs of abuse will continue without much abate if some drastic and concrete steps are not taken. The UT is witnessing a never before rise in the number and intensity of drug abuse. According to several repots there are more than 60,000 drug abusers in the Valley alone. The local survey puts the number of the addicts in Kashmir at horrifying figures. The magnitude of the problem can be gauged from the spiraling crime graphs. It has been proven that there is a strong link between drug addiction and crime. Thefts, burglaries, crimes against women, suicides, road rage and many more heinous crimes have their motive or compulsion rooted in the drug induced misjudgments. Social maladjustments are wreaking havoc with the society. Needless to say, the time has come to address the issue on a war footing. The organizing of seminars and taking out rallies on the International Day against Drug Abuse will not do much good. And similarly, no fruit will be borne by the countless articles and news items reporting the many facets of the drugs, their trade and the fate of those who succumb their life and peace of their families to these killers. The need of the hour is that a policy be framed keeping in view the points that make the drugs available. Local cultivation needs to be stalled; completely and not customary. Trafficking needs to checked, and the role of corruption that makes the leaks in the police seal possible be probed and dealt with strongly. Law needs to tighten its clutches around those who are caught peddling drugs and trafficking this destruction. But first and foremost, the de-addiction centres run by various governmental and non-governmental agencies must be strengthened in capacity and facility. Things need to change. As the problem of drug abuse is not restricted to an individual or family, but the society, both administration and the people must share the responsibility at their respective positions. A collective cause can be the best preventive method to dismantle illicit drug delivery system in the UT.