Jammu Kashmir Unveils Integrated Rehabilitation Model for Drug Abuse Victims, Pilot Rollout Planned | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has finalised a comprehensive Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Framework for individuals affected by substance abuse, marking a shift towards a structured, long-term recovery model combining treatment, livelihood support and sustained monitoring.

The framework, shaped under Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, was presented at a high-level meeting attended by senior officials from the Finance, Home, Social Welfare, School Education and Skill Development departments, along with representatives from IMHANS Srinagar, NIC and other stakeholders.

Officials said the initiative moves beyond conventional detoxification-based treatment to a coordinated system integrating medical care, psychosocial support, education, skill development, employment linkage and post-recovery follow-up aimed at reducing relapse and supporting social reintegration.

At the core of the model are Individual Reintegration Plans (IRPs), designed for each beneficiary to guide treatment, rehabilitation and post-recovery support in a structured manner.

The Chief Secretary has proposed that the framework be implemented initially on a pilot basis at IMHANS Srinagar and in one additional district, allowing the administration to assess operational challenges before wider rollout across the Union Territory.

Under the proposed structure, Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) will function through multidisciplinary teams comprising psychiatrists and counsellors from the Health Department, ASHA workers, and social workers from the Social Welfare Department. ASHA workers will assist with treatment adherence through home visits and follow-ups, while social workers will support counselling and reintegration efforts.

Beneficiaries will be linked with self-employment schemes, livelihood programmes, centrally sponsored welfare initiatives and educational opportunities, including pathways for those who discontinued their studies.

The framework also proposes engaging counsellors from self-help groups, educational institutions and health centres to strengthen community outreach and follow-up mechanisms.

Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Shailendra Kumar assured full departmental support for the initiative, while advising further refinement to ensure measurable outcomes and effective implementation.

Principal Secretary (Home) Chandraker Bharti said the programme is structured around six key objectives, including a defined rehabilitation cycle, smooth transition from detoxification to reintegration, relapse prevention through continuous care, mentor-led support, interdepartmental coordination and safeguards against premature discharge.

Commissioner Secretary (Social Welfare) Sarmad Hafeez outlined a three-phase rehabilitation process. The first phase covers treatment and stabilisation through assessment, detoxification, clinical evaluation and risk categorisation, followed by preparation of Individual Reintegration Plans and review by District Task Forces.

The second phase focuses on reintegration and livelihood activation through education, skill development, apprenticeships and employment linkages. The third phase emphasises sustained monitoring, community acceptance and long-term socio-economic stability.

A key component of the framework is mentor-led handholding, under which each beneficiary will be assigned a dedicated mentor responsible for continuous guidance, coordination across departments and regular physical, telephonic and digital follow-ups.

The model also stresses interdepartmental convergence to ensure coordinated delivery of rehabilitation and welfare services.

Head of IMHANS Srinagar, Prof. (Dr.) Arshid Hussain, presented evidence-based treatment protocols and the institute’s three-tier “Circle of Care” model, along with a capacity-building plan for personnel involved in implementation.

He said structured training programmes would be conducted to equip frontline workers with the required skills to operationalise the framework effectively.

Officials said the integrated approach is expected to strengthen recovery outcomes, reduce relapse rates and support long-term rehabilitation and socio-economic stability for affected individuals.