The region of Kashmir is in crisis with narco-like terrorism taking place as the heroin market overtakes and leaves a devastating trail in the valley.
In the past five years, there has been a 2,000 per cent rise in heroin abuse with very little form of help for those suffering. The number of people entering a heroin rehab centre is limited, while the police are struggling to control the terror activities occuring in the region.
Officials have admitting that curbing the drug crisis is difficult and large volumes of narcotics have entered the market in Kashmir, largely with the help of drones.
It’s affecting people in Kashmir of all socioeconomic classes, with the Kashmir drug addiction centre struggling to cope with the rise.
Such is the rise, the centre reported only 489 cases of addiction in 2016. Now, only just over five years on, that number has gone beyond 10,000 and has sent shockwaves across the country.
The number of overdoses is on the rise and it’s believed that in India now over four and a half per cent of people use drugs.
Heroin smuggled over from Pakistan is the most likely cause of this, and there’s a fear that if it isn’t combated soon it could ruin the lives of the region’s use, with many already suffering.
The government have claimed that the cross border smuggling is providing oxygen to terrorism and it’s forcing the region to act and act swiftly. Ten more de-addiction centres have been opened in the region in a bid to save lives and get the region back on track, but such is the problem now, that is incredibly difficult.
What’s more, the issue isn’t being discussed among senior officials and religious leaders as much as it should be, with many sticking to their own teachings and prophetic sayings against drug abuse rather than speaking out from the heart and urging people to stay away.
It’s a conflict that shows no sign of slowing down and until it is spoken about seriously, it’s unlikely that the youth of the region are going to stay away from the drug, particularly with it now so ingrained in the region.
Over the next few years, that 10,000 people seeking treatment could rise to 12, 13 and beyond, overwhelming doctors and medical professionals and leading to a further loss of life unless heroin’s entrance to the market is stopped.