Govt Committed to Eradicating Drug Menace: Sakeena Itoo | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Saturday said the government is firmly committed to eradicating drug abuse across the Union Territory.

Replying to a question by MLA Iftikhar Ahmad in the Legislative Assembly regarding drug de-addiction centres, the Minister said two de-addiction facilities are currently functional in Rajouri district to cater to the needs of affected individuals.

She informed that one centre is operating at the Old District Hospital building in Rajouri under the National Educational Society and Social Welfare Organisation (NESSW), while another Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) is functional at Associated Hospital GMC Rajouri (Kheora).

The Minister said that out of around 822 patients admitted to these centres, 558 have been successfully treated. She added that dedicated medical and support staff, including psychiatrists, counsellors, social workers, nurses, pharmacists and multi-tasking staff, are providing regular services.

Sakeena Itoo said the existing facilities are adequately catering to local needs, noting that the government’s focus is on reducing drug abuse through treatment, rehabilitation and prevention rather than merely increasing the number of centres.

She highlighted that awareness and counselling programmes are being conducted across the district under the Nasha Mukt Bharat initiative in coordination with the District Administration, Police and Social Welfare Department.

The Minister further informed that in the last two years (2024–25 and 2025–26), the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu conducted 53 awareness camps covering around 19 panchayats in Rajouri. In addition, GMC Rajouri has organised 5,462 awareness and counselling sessions, including 3,545 in 2024 and 1,917 in 2025.

She said counsellors have been deployed at the village level across Jammu and Kashmir to sensitise former panchayat members, religious leaders and community representatives about tackling drug abuse. She added that the Health Department continues to provide treatment and rehabilitation services, while enforcement action lies with other agencies.

Sakeena Itoo also stated that the government is monitoring NGO-run de-addiction centres and will take action in case of any violation of rules.

Legislators Bharat Bhushan and Tanvir Ali Sadiq also raised supplementary questions during the proceedings.