Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed a sharp rise in the number of individuals seeking treatment for drug addiction over the past five years, with 35,639 people benefiting from government-supported de-addiction centres in 2023-24, the data presented in the Lok Sabha reveals.
The cases have increased 145 times in the last five years, rising from 247 cases in 2019-20 to 35,639 in 2023-24.
However, Ladakh continues to have no de-addiction facilities, leaving affected individuals without access to rehabilitation services.
In 2019-20, only 247 individuals in Jammu & Kashmir received treatment at de-addiction centres. The low numbers indicate either limited awareness or a lack of facilities catering to addiction cases at that time.
Ladakh, which became a Union Territory in 2019, had no reported cases of individuals seeking treatment, as no centres were operational in the region.
By 2020-21, the number of beneficiaries in J&K increased to 1,509, suggesting a rising awareness of rehabilitation programs. However, Ladakh still recorded zero cases, as no government-supported de-addiction centres were set up, the data reads.
In 2021-22, the number of drug addiction cases in J&K rose significantly to 5,372, more than three times the previous year's figure. This marked the beginning of a major surge in substance abuse cases. Meanwhile, Ladakh remained without any facilities, and no individuals were recorded as receiving treatment.
The trend continued in 2022-23, with 17,018 people undergoing treatment at de-addiction centres in Jammu & Kashmir. This sharp rise reflected the increasing severity of drug abuse in the region. Despite the growing need for rehabilitation services, Ladakh remained without any government-supported de-addiction centres.
By 2023-24, Jammu & Kashmir reported its highest number of cases yet, with 35,639 individuals benefiting from de-addiction services. This represents a nearly 145-fold increase from 2019-20. However, Ladakh’s status remained unchanged, with no government-supported centres available for addiction treatment.