Jammu, October 14, 2025 : A disturbing surge in drug addiction among Jammu’s youth has triggered widespread concern among families, community leaders, and health authorities. What once appeared as isolated incidents has evolved into a serious social and public health crisis engulfing urban and rural areas alike.
Despite multiple deaths linked to overdoses, fear of stigma and police action prevents families from reporting cases—allowing the problem to grow unchecked.
Once confined to cities, the drug menace has now penetrated all 10 districts of Jammu division, echoing patterns seen in Punjab’s long-standing crisis. Officials reveal that traffickers are employing similar tactics—hooking youth with synthetic, low-cost narcotics that create long-term dependency.
Cross-Border Smuggling & Synthetic Drugs
Most drugs entering Jammu are smuggled across the border from Pakistan, using well-organized networks that evade security surveillance. Although the Army and BSF frequently intercept consignments along the LoC and International Border, officials admit these seizures represent only the “tip of the iceberg.”
Adding complexity is the rise of synthetic and designer drugs—cheaper, potent, and harder to trace—fueling a new wave of addiction that traditional policing cannot easily contain.
Women Couriers & Interstate Links
Drug syndicates are increasingly employing women as carriers to move drugs between districts. Recent police operations have uncovered female peddlers tied to organized networks.
Strong interstate connections with Punjab have also emerged, as smugglers move consignments from Kashmir through Jammu and onward to other northern states.
Weak Rehabilitation Support
While police have intensified crackdowns, rehabilitation facilities remain woefully inadequate. Limited de-addiction centers and counseling options leave many addicts untreated. Families, burdened by social stigma and lack of medical support, often struggle alone.
Need for Awareness & Community Action
Experts call for massive awareness campaigns, especially in schools and colleges, to promote prevention, early intervention, and de-stigmatization. They urge joint efforts by government, media, civil society, and religious groups to build community-driven support systems.
Without immediate, coordinated action, Jammu risks losing an entire generation to addiction—a tragedy that can still be averted through awareness, empathy, and enforcement.
