The Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Atal Doolu, presented a three-year plan on Wednesday to rehabilitate individuals suffering from drug addiction who are undergoing treatment in government or assisted detoxification centers and institutions. The program aims to prevent relapses and facilitate their reintegration into society.
Initially, this scheme will be implemented in the districts of Jammu, Srinagar, Kathua, and Budgam, with plans for expansion to other territories, officials reported. According to Doolu, this scheme will establish a structured rehabilitation cycle for drug users to ensure a smooth transition from 'detoxification to socio-economic stabilization,' thereby reducing the frequency of relapses and preventing premature withdrawal from treatment.
The program is divided into phases. The first six months cover admission, assessment, treatment, stabilization, and development of a rehabilitation plan under Phase I. The following six months up to two years will be dedicated to livelihood activation and reintegration under Phase II. The final 24–36 months will focus on continuous monitoring and social integration.
Various government departments will play a key role in implementing the policy. The Jammu and Kashmir Home Department will ensure the identification and support of people needing intervention. The Health and Medical Education Department will provide mental health services, counseling, psychiatric assistance, drug addiction treatment, and relapse prevention support.
The Education Department will assist with educational reintegration, ensuring academic continuity, re-enrollment, gap training, and access to student support services. The Labour and Employment Department will promote vocational training, skill development, employment, and entrepreneurship development. The Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department will support community participation, family involvement, livelihood inclusion, social support networks, and local rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives. The Social Welfare Department will act as the agency responsible for implementing this policy.
Previously, on April 11, 2026, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, launched a 100-day anti-drug campaign called 'Nasha Mukt Abhiyan.' This campaign included large-scale informational events by the civil administration and police, destruction of opium crops, random testing of driver urine, and intensified efforts against drug networks.
According to government data, over 32,500 cases of drug abuse have been registered in Jammu and Kashmir since 2022, with the highest number of patients recorded in the districts of Srinagar and Jammu. A study conducted in 2022 by the Kashmir Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience assessed approximately 67,468 people across 10 districts of Kashmir as 'substance dependent.'