Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo on Thursday informed the House that the drug de-addiction rules are currently being finalized and are expected to be completed soon. Once implemented, these rules are anticipated to significantly enhance efforts to combat the drug menace across Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister, as per an official statement, said this while replying to a question on ‘Drug De-addiction Centres’ raised by Legislator Sham Lal Sharma on behalf of Devyani Rana.
While speaking during the question hour of the ongoing Budget Session on various supplementary issues raised by legislators, the minister said that a bill against the drug menace will also be brought in the current session to tackle this rising social concern in J&K. She said that medical and chemist shops have been strictly asked to install CCTVs to keep check on the sale of unauthorised drugs or medicines.
The Health Minister added that it is the collective duty of all stakeholders including Legislators to come together and fight this evil, adding that the Home Department has a primary role to play, apart from the Social Welfare or Education departments.
She informed the house that drug de-addiction services are being strengthened across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir under the Health & Medical Education Department and the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. As of now, no new drug de-addiction centre is under consideration in the department, she added.
The Health Minister apprised that as of 2025, 11 ATFs are functional in Kashmir Division at SKIMS Soura, GMC Bemina Srinagar, GMC Anantnag, GMC Baramulla, GMC Handwara, District Hospital Kulgam, District Hospital Shopian, District Hospital Pulwama, District Hospital Budgam, District Hospital Ganderbal and District Hospital Bandipora, providing both OPD and IPD services.
She also informed that Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) are also available in GMC Doda, GMC Jammu, GMC Kathua, GMC AH Rajouri, GMC AH Udhampur, District Hospital Kishtwar, District Hospital Poonch, District Hospital Ramban, District Hospital Reasi providing both OPD and IPD services besides DH Samba functioning on OPD basis.
The Health Minister stated that several private NGOs are offering comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services. She added that de-addiction OPD services are available in all 20 J&K districts, providing access to counselling and treatment. Besides, IPD services are catering to both male and female patients in 9 government medical colleges, with psychiatrists offering specialist support and clinical oversight. Legislators Hasnain Masoodi, Mir Saifullah, Mubarik Gul, Tanvir Sadiq, Mohammad Yousuf Rather (Tarigami) and Surjit Singh Salathia raised supplementary questions.
