J&K SAC approves first ever drug de-addiction policy for state
The State Administrative Council (SAC), under the chairmanship of Governor Satya Pal Malik, accorded sanction to the first-ever drug de-addiction policy in Jammu and Kashmir, an official spokesman said yesterday. The policy lays out a comprehensive action plan for addressing the drug addiction issue in its entirety, he said. The council discussed various de-addiction facilities and establishment of rehabilitation centers in the meeting.
De-addiction facilities and centers discussed in the SAC meeting
Advisors to the governor, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, and Kewal Kumar Sharma, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and Principal Secretary to governor Umang Narula attended the meeting, said official. The issue of functioning of various de-addiction facilities and provision of good health conditions to the inmates, establishment of rehabilitation centers, drug de-addiction centers and providing a comprehensive mechanism to address this menace was discussed, he said.
J&K HC had directed state to draft drug de-addiction policy
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court had directed the state government to draft the drug de-addiction policy and provide a more comprehensive mechanism to address the drug addiction in the state. Consequent to this a series of meetings were chaired by the chief secretary and slew of directions were issued to Health & Medical Education (H&ME) Department, including the release of funds.
H&ME to release funds for empirical study on de-addiction challenges
H&ME Department was directed to release Rs. 50,000 each to Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, and Srinagar, to facilitate an empirical study on the extent of drug addiction and de-addiction challenges, the official said. The policy focuses on various key aspects including prevention, rehabilitation and integration, training and sensitization, community participation, generating awareness, upgradation and establishment of drug de-addiction centers, the spokesman said.
Prescribed medications, inhalants, nicotine identified as common substances of abuse
There has been a steep rise in physical, mental and substance-use disorders over the past two decades across the state. Most common substances of abuse identified included nicotine, opium and medicinal opioids, cannabis, benzodiazepines, and other prescription medications, alcohol and inhalants, the spokesman said.
