The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — With a resolute commitment to combatting drug addiction, Town Hall Pulwama hosted a pivotal event today, organized by The Kashmir Pulse news portal in collaboration with Genius Academy Pulwama.

Gathered under the banner of enlightenment, students and citizens alike convened to hear from a distinguished panel of experts, headlined by Chief Guest SSP Pulwama PD Nitya. Joined by esteemed speakers Mr Mohammad Amin, Dr Mudasir Ahmad Gori, Engineer Faisal Gulzar, and Dr Tanveer Hayat, the event illuminated the dangers of addiction and strategies for resilience.

Mrs Sakeena Jabeen adeptly navigated the proceedings, facilitating an engaging dialogue between speakers and attendees. Against the backdrop of rising drug-related incidents, the speakers delved into the intricacies of addiction, equipping the audience with vital insights and practical tools for prevention.

SSP Pulwama PD Nitya seized the spotlight, issuing a clarion call for collective action. "We cannot afford to be passive bystanders in the face of this menace," she declared, urging citizens to collaborate with local authorities in combating drug peddling. "Your vigilance and cooperation are indispensable in our fight against drug abuse," she emphasized.

Expressing gratitude for The Kashmir Pulse's advocacy, SSP Pulwama lauded the news portal's commitment to community welfare. "Their initiative in organizing today's event underscores the power of media in fostering societal change," she remarked.

In a testament to the event's interactive nature, students eagerly posed questions to the panel, receiving insightful responses and guidance. This exchange epitomized the spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility that permeated the gathering, as attendees resolved to confront the drug menace with determination and unity.

As the event concluded, a palpable sense of purpose lingered in the air, underscoring Pulwama's resolve to safeguard its youth and uphold community well-being. Through education, awareness, and collaborative action, the town embarks on a steadfast journey towards a drug-free future.

SRINAGAR — Addiction treatment facilities in Kashmir are proving to be a beacon of hope for individuals battling drug addiction.

Health officials told the news agency KNO that these centres, equipped with specialised programs and compassionate staff, have witnessed a notable success rate in aiding recovery and reintegrating individuals into society.

They highlighted the positive impact of these facilities and their role in addressing the rising concerns of drug abuse in the region. “With a tailored approach to rehabilitation, these centres employ a combination of counselling, medical support, and skill-building initiatives to help individuals overcome addiction,” they said.

The success stories emerging from the facilities underscore the importance of community support and the dedication of healthcare professionals in tackling the pervasive issue of drug abuse, the official said, adding that these centres stand as a testament to the power of comprehensive addiction treatment in fostering positive change in the lives of those affected.

As per the figures available with KNO, the addiction treatment facility at District Hospital Kulgam last year registered around 1900 drug addicts who have been visiting the facility for treatment. Doctors at the centre said that 95 per cent of abusers visiting the ATF facility in Kulgam are heroin abusers, and around 70 per cent of the heroin abusers are Intravenous Drug Abusers (IVDA) who are prone to hepatitis and other diseases.

They mentioned that around 70-100 abusers visit the facility every day, and most of them are on follow-up, while dozens among them have left drug abuse and are completely following the treatment.

The majority of people involved in drug addiction are in the 15-35 age group, and the main reasons behind it are peer pressure, drug availability, and modelling, etc, the figures reveal.

Doctors at other addiction treatment facilities echoed similar concerns, saying that most of the drug abusers are being brought to these facilities after using drugs for years together.

“Though the number of addicts visiting these facilities is on the rise, the number of drug addicts visiting for treatment compared to those who aren't visiting for treatment is like the tip of an iceberg, and it is all because of social stigma,” they said, adding, “Despite increasing awareness and efforts to address addiction as a health issue, individuals battling drug dependency continue to face judgment and discrimination, hindering the collective fight against this public health crisis.”

The doctors added, “The reluctance to openly discuss addiction, coupled with ingrained societal prejudices, makes it challenging for affected individuals to seek help. There is a need for increased vigilance among parents, and they must provide comprehensive support to their children and raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.”

They urged people to view addiction through a lens of compassion and understanding rather than judgment, as breaking down these barriers is deemed crucial in establishing an environment where those struggling with addiction feel empowered to seek assistance without fear of ostracism.

A recent report by the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment highlights the gravity of the situation, stating that over 5 lakh addicts in Jammu and Kashmir use opioids, with 95,000 of them falling within the 10-17 age group. The report reveals a detailed breakdown of drug abuse statistics, encompassing various substances among different age groups.

As per the report, among 1,68,700 minor drug abusers; 8,000 are using cannabis, 95,000 opioids, 19,000 sedatives, 100 cocaine, 400 amphetamine stimulants, 46,000 inhalants, and 200 hallucinogens.

The report reveals that 11,80,000 adults of the 18-75 age group are drug abusers, and among them, 3,54,000 are using alcohol, 1,36,000 cannabis, 4,47,000 opioids, 1,51,000 sedatives, 89,000 inhalants, and 1000 each of cocaine, stimulant, and hallucinogens.

SRINAGAR — On World Hepatitis Day, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) expressed pressing concern over the surge in hepatitis cases which has reached epidemic proportions in Kashmir.

“Drug abuse and unhygienic dental practices are responsible for the hepatitis epidemic in the valley,” said DAK President Dr. Nisar-ul-Hassan in a statement issued to the news agency KNO.

Dr. Hassan said Kashmir is witnessing an alarming rise in drug abuse cases over the past few decades. “Drug addicts are at a higher risk of contracting hepatitis and have the potential to spread this deadly infection to others,” he said.

In a recent study conducted at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Kashmir, 72% of drug addicts were found to have Hepatitis C infection.

“Research has found that each drug addict infected with hepatitis virus is likely to infect 20 others and this rapid transmission of the disease occurs within the first three years of initial infection,” he said.

The DAK President said another reason for the high rates of Hepatitis infection is unhygienic dental practices in Kashmir.

“Most of the dental clinics use unsterilized or improperly sterilized instruments. The tools are not cleaned in between patients. The disposable items which are for single-use are reused on patients. Unsterile needles are used in multiple-dose medication vials,” he said

“Dentists do not change gloves in between patients and use the same gloves for every patient that leads to cross-infection,” he said and added, “Patients are not screened for hepatitis prior to intervention, resulting in the transfer of these viruses from one patient to another.”

Dr. Nisar said Hepatitis B and C infections are serious medical conditions and infected patients may not have outward symptoms of the disease for many years. The delayed onset makes screening important.

Hepatitis B and C are common causes of Cirrhosis or scarring of the liver which can cause liver failure and even cancer.

“While the Hepatitis B vaccine was included in the routine/universal immunization programme after 2006, many people above 17 years are unvaccinated. People should get vaccinated against hepatitis B as soon as possible to protect themselves from getting the virus,” he said.

“Hepatitis C has no vaccine, but there are ways to prevent the disease. And, if detected early, this is one of the few viral infectious diseases with great cure rates,” he added.

PULWAMA — The Kashmir Pulse in collaboration with Pulwama Police organized a seminar on the theme "Drug Addiction and Why It Is Time To Act" at Town Hall Pulwama in the south Kashmir district on Saturday.

The chief guest on the occasion was Showkat Rafiq Wani, DySP Pulwama while the prominent resource persons included Dr. Nisar Wani, Dr. Mudasir Ahmad, Dr. Aafiqa Ali among others. Also, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Khan and Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Dar, two recently retired policemen were also part of the speakers.

A good number of school students also participated in the programme, especially from Career Care Institute of Education, Newa.

In the welcome address, Sakeena Jabeen, one of the organizers, welcomed the guests and threw light on the different aspects of drug abuse and its impacts on society as a whole.

The chief guest, Showkat Rafiq Wani, threw light on the deep-rootedness of drug abuse. He stressed that society needs to come forward and take collective responsibility to tackle the problem. He stressed the need to conduct such programmes on a regular basis.

Dr. Nisar Wani delved into the biological aspects and highlighted the need for understanding psychological and legal aspects as well. He stressed the need to impart various life skills to the younger generation so that they easily navigate through the bad phases of life without falling into drug abuse.

Dr. Mudasir questioned the easy availability of various drugs in the region and stated that the easy availability of drugs is the main reason behind the increasing menace of drug abuse in the valley.

On the other hand, Dr. Aafiqa Ali advocated the setting up of a task force to tackle the menace of drugs and fight it at the grassroots level. She also spoke about the impact of drug addiction on society and the role of parents in curbing the menace through effective communication with their children.

PULWAMA — Government Higher Secondary School Rajpora held an awareness program on drug abuse in collaboration with Pulwama Police on Thursday.

The teachers, students and officials from Pulwama Police participated in the program aimed at informing the student community about the rising menace of drugs and remedial measures to check it.

While speaking on the occasion, Station House Officer (SHO) Rajpora Zaffar Iqbal sought cooperation from people in eradicating the social evils prevailing in society, particularly the menace of drugs.

He highlighted the role of parents and said that parents have a greater responsibility in the social development of a child as they act as the first teachers and guides of their wards. He also spoke about preventive measures and the role of J&K Police in the prevention of drug addiction.

Mr Zaffar further said that Police is always available for help to those who are victims of this addiction and is ready to make all possible efforts to help and rehabilitate affected persons.

The participants appreciated the efforts of the Police in facilitating such awareness programmes where participants express their opinion freely. The participants assured their full cooperation with the police in tackling social evils and other crimes.

SRINAGAR — The use of drugs, mainly heroin, is leading to a scary increase in Hepatitis C cases in Jammu and Kashmir as around three among four drug users are Hepatitis C positive in Kashmir.

Dr Yasir Rather, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, GMC Srinagar, as per news agency KNO, said, "We screen every patient for Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and HIV and as per the hospital-based studies, there are around 70 per cent of drug users who are tested positive for Hepatitis C."

He said that the use of drugs via injection is quite common among drug users and the most common cause of Hepatitis C among them is the sharing of needles.

He said that they have witnessed 70 per cent of the substance users have Hepatitis C and that it is a chronic disease and if not treated on time, it can lead to chronic liver disease for the treatment of which patient needs costly anti-viral medications for 3-6 months, which becomes another burden on the family members of drug users.

Doctors working with these patients said that the sharing of needles used for injecting drugs is known to transmit diseases among the drug users which adds to the suffering of those affected and their families.

He said that without treatment, Hepatitis C can prove fatal and for most patients, it is a symptom-free disease which spreads silently to other family members and sometimes, it can get transmitted to babies from an infected mother.

He added that needle sharing among drug users is the main cause of Hepatitis C in Kashmir and almost every three among four drug users suffers from Hepatitis C and there remain chances of them getting infected with other infections like HIV as well.

PULWAMA — In order to aware the general public of the ill-effects of drug addiction, a drug de-addiction seminar was held at Town Hall Pulwama on Saturday. The event was organized by Pulwama Police in collaboration with The Kashmir Pulse.

DySP Headquarters Pulwama, Showkat Rafiq Wani; SHO Police Station Pulwama, Basharat Ahmad; DAK President, Mohammad Yousuf Tak; retired KAS officer, Ghulam Hassan Talib; State Taxation Officer, Sarfaraz Ahmad; students of various educational institutions and various experts participated in the programme.

Speaking on the occasion, DySP Headquarters Pulwama delivered a detailed speech about the menace of drugs, sources, causes, consequences and the role of parents, civil society, teachers, Police, Health Department, and other stakeholders.

While speaking during the event, he said that the issue of drug abuse is a challenge before the country. "It is the duty of all stakeholders to join in creating awareness about the illegal use of drugs and urgent measures need to be taken to prevent this menace."

He appreciated the participants for being part of the event and said the seminar on drug de-addiction will prove to be useful in the long run. He also appealed to the participants to cooperate with the Police in identifying drug addicts in their localities so that they can be counselled in better ways.

Besides, various experts/doctors delivered special lectures on the topic and highlighted their experience in treating drug addicts. They gave detailed speeches about the causes and remedies to prevent the drug menace from society.

Dr Yousuf Tak spoke at length about the ill effects of drug use and certain cases of extreme drug cases and methods to treat them. He asked the participants to be vigilant and act against the menace at their own level and not look only at police, doctors and NGOs to save them.

On the other hand, Ghulam Hassan Talib said that the menace of drug abuse was seriously damaging the social fibre of our society and it was time to act tough against those people who make a living out of this menace. "Religious leaders have a duty to speak about this menace in their sermons and educate people to curb this serious issue of drug addiction."

The members of civil society also spoke and highlighted the causes and consequences of drug abuse and assured their possible support and cooperation for a drug-addiction free environment.

It is pertinent to mention here that The Kashmir Pulse has been organizing various events focusing on social issues. Also, the news portal has come forward through its events to guide and promote young talent.