Jammu, May 15, 2026: Senior Congress leader and AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Friday expressed serious concern over the growing menace of substance abuse in Jammu and Kashmir and called for a broad-based and comprehensive public policy to combat addiction and safeguard the younger generation.
Mir’s remarks came in the backdrop of the ongoing anti-drug campaign launched under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. According to Jammu and Kashmir Police, 806 persons were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between April 11 and May 13. During the same period, authorities attached and demolished 97 properties worth Rs 41.85 crore linked to narcotics-related activities.
While appreciating the ongoing crackdown against drug trafficking, Mir said the campaign against addiction should not remain selective and must address all forms of substance abuse impacting society.
“There is serious concern over the increasing menace of substance abuse in Jammu and Kashmir. There is an urgent need for broader and meaningful public policy intervention to protect the younger generation from addiction and social deterioration,” he stated.
The Congress leader stressed that alcohol addiction, particularly among youth, has emerged as a major social and public health challenge and deserves equal attention alongside narcotic substances.
Referring to the growing public debate around liquor regulation, Mir said demands from different sections of society for phased restrictions on liquor sales should be considered seriously and sensitively by the government.
Drawing comparisons with other states, he pointed out that states like Bihar and Gujarat have implemented prohibition policies, while Tamil Nadu reportedly shut down hundreds of liquor outlets, particularly those near religious places, schools, and densely populated areas.
Mir said Jammu and Kashmir should also initiate a serious consultation process on regulating the “unchecked availability and promotion” of alcohol, especially in vulnerable and sensitive localities.
He further raised concern over the easy accessibility of cigarettes and tobacco products to minors and alleged violations of laws prohibiting their sale near educational institutions.
The Congress leader urged authorities to strictly enforce regulations governing tobacco and alcohol sales around schools, colleges, religious institutions, and public spaces frequented by youth.
He emphasized that the issue should not be viewed merely from the perspective of revenue generation, but through its broader social, moral, and health implications for families and society.
Mir also asserted that any future policy initiative must be balanced, people-centric, and evolved through public consultation while respecting the cultural ethos and sensitivities of Jammu and Kashmir.
Calling for collective action, he appealed to civil society organisations, religious leaders, parents, youth groups, and policymakers to work together towards building a healthier and addiction-free society.
