Kashmir engulfed by Drug Abuse...
More than three decades of Sustained conflict in Kashmir valley which has traumatized the people shows dangerous fallout as tens of thousands of youth in Valley are involved in different kinds of drug abuse. Every day the police bulletins are a buzz with news of Notorious drug peddlers being nabbed and huge hauls of drugs being recovered from their possession. Although the majority of drug users are male and drug stores are the major suppliers to addicts, however the alarming trends surfacing are that a good number of female folk has been dragged into this menace through a well knit conspiracy. Experts have taken serious note and warn disaster if society doesn’t act now.
In Kashmir Valley alone the aftermath the of conflict is depressing as well as dangerous for the society. Mass destruction of life and property, and overwhelming fear and uncertainty during the past many years of disturbance has taken heavy psychological toll- being manifested in terms of rampant drug abuse among youth.
A recent study conducted by a local NGO in Srinagar revealed substantial increase in the number of patients diagnosed as drug abusers during last 10 years. Valley’s leading psychiatrists giving the background of the menace are of the opinion that over the past decade Kashmiri youth are highly traumatised and to relieve of the stress they often take drugs .Psychological problems are in the back ground. The use of various drugs has increased tremendously during these years of traumatic violence. The Study shows that the society at large is in deep slumber and needs to wake up and every member has a role to play to put this mess in order otherwise it is bound to spell the disaster.
Sociologists warn that the abuse has assumed a kind of epidemic and it’s consequences would be disastrous on the society. The problem needs to be handled immediately, otherwise it would be too late to act. Nobody as a member of society can be exempted from the responsibility. There is need to make awareness especially among youth about the hazards of drug abuse otherwise next generation would be doomed, Social scientist have warned and educated the family, teachers ,NGOs ,govt. agencies and media to play an important role if the menace is to be eradicated.
Another shocking revelations was made by a local and only de-addiction center in entire Valley through its recent survey carried out in different educational institutions and in the area believed to be vulnerable to the drug addiction . The authorities and law enforcing agencies silence on this lethal menace have further aggravated the condition . No accountability and restriction on the sale of these drugs in the market has made them easily accessible to abusers and addicts . Abuse of drugs like codein and other medicinal opioids have reached epidemic proportions in the valley.
There should be restriction on the sale of these drugs .J&K is the only state where drug Act hasn’t been implemented yet .Govt. and society has to wake up otherwise it would be too late. The ongoing turbulence has given rise to gruesome and unrelenting situation in this conflict ridden state once known for its rich and civilized social ethos now grappling with moral degradation.
Let peace prevail in my Vale which is at the verge of moral death, is the refrain of the people who rue over the loss of traditions of Kashmir which was once known for Sufi culture the characteristic of which is the purity of the society .
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