Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with a severe drug abuse crisis, particularly a sharp increase in heroin use across the Valley. Over the past five years, Kashmir’s central rehabilitation center in Srinagar has reported a staggering 200 percent rise in patients seeking treatment, with the majority being heroin users.
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir are working tirelessly to dismantle narco networks in the region. However, recent surveys indicate that Jammu and Kashmir is one of the worst-hit states in India concerning drug abuse. Official data reveals that approximately 1.3 million people in the Union Territory are drug abusers, a figure that has doubled from 0.6 million in 2022.
The primary concern for authorities remains the high dependency on heroin, which has become the most commonly used drug, boasting a 95% dependency rate among users. The method of injection increases the risk of contracting diseases such as hepatitis C. Most heroin users in Jammu and Kashmir fall within the age group of 15-30 years, with reports suggesting that around 85 percent of drug abusers in the region prefer heroin. The Srinagar rehabilitation center sees an influx of 350-400 patients daily, the majority of whom are heroin users. Alarmingly, it is estimated that drug abusers in Jammu and Kashmir use around 33,000 syringes each day.
Dr. Fazal A Raub, Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychiatry, IMHANS, told News24 that “After 2016, the use of heroin has peaked in Jammu and Kashmir. We used to see around 3-4 patients at that time, but now we see around 350-400 patients daily, with most of them being heroin users. We have rehab centers in every district now, and even in those districts, we have a patient inflow of about 100 every day, while it goes up to 400 in the Srinagar center. The use of injections leads to many issues, including overdose deaths, hepatitis B and C, HIV, and skin infections.”
Addicts report spending around 80,000 to 90,000 Rupees on heroin each month. Many claim that the drug is readily available throughout the Union Territory, with some stating that over 50 drug dealers operate solely in Srinagar.
One recovering addict shared his harrowing experience with News24, he said “Addiction is terrible for us. I can talk about heroin; not even a cancer patient goes through the pain we endure. Heroin is intolerable for many. I used to consume around 4 grams daily and spend about 24,000 Indian Rupees each day. We pooled resources with friends to buy drugs. Heroin use has surged so much that 90 percent of drug abusers rely on it. It’s spreading daily, threatening the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. It comes from across the border; it’s not produced here.”
In response to the grave escalating drug abuse crisis, security forces across Jammu and Kashmir have intensified operations against narco-terrorism. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have made hundreds of arrests, seized properties belonging to dealers, and increased surveillance in border areas. In 2025, the police enforced the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act against notorious traffickers. Approximately 463 detention orders were issued under PIT-NDPS in the last 18 months until June 2024.
