Srinagar 15th Nov: A day after a survey revealed a startling disclosure that Jammu and Kashmir has 6 lakh people affected by drug-related issues, the Director-General of Police (DGP), Dilbag Singh on Sunday blamed Pakistan for targeting youngsters by making them habitual of drugs.Notable in an official meeting on Saturday, it was informed that as per a consumption survey, J&K has 6 lakh people affected by drug-related issues, which are approximately 4.6% population of the Union territory of which 90% users are from 17-33 age group.Interacting with a news agency, the DGP said that the narcotics menace, especially heroin, was scaling new heights in Kashmir with experts warning that a majority of the young people may fall prey to drug abuse.In Kashmir, conflict has left a deep social and psychological impact among the population. Memories of destruction, killings of loved ones, and living under the constant shadow of the gun has given rise to widespread depression and anxiety among the people of the Valley.Repeated strike calls given by separatists and militants, long-term curfews imposed by the state leading to frequent and indefinite loss of school and college education has increased anxiety and depression, luring the impressionable young minds of Kashmir to the perils of drug addiction.While conflict and its collateral damage constitutes the major reason for increasing anxiety and psychological disorders, outsiders have over the years abused the situation to establish smuggling networks within the Valley, and ensured a steady supply of narcotics.In Kashmir, the drug addiction has been on the rise for last few years and almost 6 lakh youth form part of addicted or affected population in the Valley. With few drug de-addiction centres in the Valley, Kashmiris have been left to God’s mercy in both cases, to curb the menace and to get proper medical facilities involved in this social and health evil.A senior psychiatrist based in Kashmir who did not want to be identified said conflict zones were “fertile grounds for psychiatric issues.””Conflict plays a role in issues like drug addiction, and now it is an alarming problem in Kashmir,” the expert said.”On an average day, I see 60-70 patients in a separate outpatient department for drug addiction. The rehabilitation centres are always full.”The “gun culture” not only tore apart the social fabric of Kashmir valley but it set out chain of violent events that consumed people of
