The hidden social crisis: Drug addiction in the Kashmir Valley,India

Abstract

The paper investigates the responses of drug-addicted persons to understand the association between socio-economic characteristics and the driving factors of drug addiction. For this, a cross-sectional analysis of 100 addicted persons from Kashmir Valley, who were currently under treatment for de-addiction at the rehabilitation center of Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital, Srinagar, was carried out through a structured questionnaire. The analysis was conducted using basic statistical approaches. The results show that the primary drugs used include natural to synthetic, supplied mainly by friends, and mainly used for enjoyment. More than 95 % of the sampled respondents were less than 25 years in age and 34 % were polydrug users. Most of the persons admitted were below 40 years of age and using the substances more than three times each day. Additionally, 85% of the samples came from economically well-off families with a monthly income of more than 50,000 Indian Rupees, and 67% had a secondary school level of education or higher. The impacts of drug abuse varied and mainly affected the work, individual behavior, and health of the person. The people get involved in illegal activities like theft. Among the responders, 60 % were facing chronic health problems and 66 % reported that their social and economic condition professional assistance and counseling at the early stages. The study indicated a growing curiosity among addicted persons about the need to stop the crisis. The results suggested that cutting the supply and implementing stricter laws could be among the best strategies of the government agencies and civil bodies for controlling the spread of drug abuse in society.