Drugs take you to hell, disguised as heaven
-Donald Lynn frost
A horrific catastrophe is silently waiting to explode and is staring directly in the face of our great nation, particularly the youth. Our very capable Kashmiri youth is clutched in the claws of drug abuse, hampering their potential and capability to constructively engage and work towards the betterment of the society. This is a major concern that must be addressed with deliberate planning and seriousness, to protect the most precious resource, our youth. The tendency has been to avoid the true demon by screening it under the veil of terrorism, development and other prevalent problems of the state. But the fact of the matter is that drugs and Kashmiri youth will have greater societal consequences compared to other mentioned issues. While the other issues are appropriately highlighted and addressed, drug abuse does not get the requisite attention by the government, meanwhile it deteriorates the mind and bodies of the youth at an alarming pace.
The Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Srinagar attests that the drug abuse problem is spiralling and the number of affected individuals is increasing at an exponential rate. While only 489 cases have been reported to the facility in 2016, within a span of 5 years, the number rose up to approx 19,500 in 2021 with 90 % of the cases aged between 19-33 yrs. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Most of the cases are not reported owing to the so-called social stigma attached to it and lack of correctional facilities. The most common reasons cited for drug abuse are unemployment, corruption, lack of opportunities, rigid society, relationship issues etc. However, the need to escape from a directionless way of life leads to anxiety, depression and frustration that drives them to find solace in drugs that are easily available in every corner. Moreover, the pressure from peers, the thrill of elation and the recognition that it provides amongst friends are noteworthy and leading factors that compel teenagers to be drug abusers of varying degrees. It will insensate the mind which is often perceived as a relief and solution to all problems. This temporary need overshadows and deviates them from every other aspect of their life and steadily transforms the abuser into a very dangerous addict. Absence of professional guidance for the youth drives him on the path of despair, wrecking his life and leading him to an inescapable juncture from drugs.
A large amount of credit for this goes to our neighboring country that sponsors and promotes the drug cartels in its own country so as to trade with and infuse large amounts of drugs regularly into Kashmir. As per a study by European media outlet, 80% of the drugs or narcotics abused in India is smuggled from Pakistan. It is with the aim of practically incapacitating the youth of Kashmir just as it did with Punjab state of India. The Indian state then becomes vulnerable for easy indoctrination and participation in Pakistan’s cycle of violence. Further the racketeered money is then used to lure the same youth for terrorism, smuggling weapons and smuggle more drugs across the border into Kashmir. The sufferers, agonised and grief stricken are the families of such capable energetic Kashmiri youth, watching their child, day in and out victimized by drugs and in time perish due to terrorism, brings a life time of anguish that lasts for generations. The families are shattered and they keep no hope of getting their children back as they have conditioned themselves, owing to the frequent recurrence of drug abuse in many neighbourhoods. The youth heavily under the influence of drugs now are unable to differentiate good from bad and right from wrong. He cannot comprehend the agony faced by his near and dear ones. In order to bring about the change, we need to address this issue holistically, with permanent reforms at all levels i.e by state administration, government, the education system and citizens themselves.
We must devise a method where youth are educated about the ill effects of drug abuse, right from a very early stage at schools and colleges. Anti-Drug awareness campaigns should be regularly organised in every niche of Kashmir. Moreover, correctional facilities should be constructed in conjunction with community centres and various NGOs working for the cause. Recovering from drug abuse is not impossible, it’s just a question of will power, right guidance, infrastructure and a belief system. Principally our society has to learn to show acceptance and at the same time provide social and moral support. The feeling of isolation and social boycott are the biggest inhibitors for the addicts to approach the professionals, even if they are inclined to amend their paths. The government must also aim at generating more job opportunities for the youth and find optional ways to engage them constructively to dissuade them from tumbling into the immoral path of drugs. As the common notion goes, drug de-addiction is not a question of ‘How do we start’ but it is a question of ‘When do we start’.
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