Pubdate: Sun, 06 Jan 2008 Source: Kashmir Observer (India) Copyright: 2008 Kashmir Observer Contact: http://www.kashmirobserver.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4667 DRUG PERIL IN VALLEY SNOWBALLING INTO CRISIS Centres For De-Addiction And Rehab In Short Supply Srinagar, Jan 06: (KONS) Over the past several years, vested interests have been promoting narcotic drugs in the valley on a large scale, and hundreds of people, particularly the younger generation, have fallen prey to the menace. Alarmingly, school children are being drawn into the web. It appears as if the youth of Kashmir are being destroyed under a conspiracy. The past decade-and-a-half of turmoil changed the complexion of the social set-up here, and agencies from outside the state also appear to be active in propping up the drug trade. Surprisingly, thirty per cent of the addicts comprises of females - young girls - indicating how badly the malady has gripped our society. Ironically, the trade is shaping into an established business, with men as well as women getting involved. People who have fallen to addiction in the valley mostly use addictive pharmaceutical preparations. Though strict laws exist against the sale of such drugs without prescriptions, the "medicines" are openly available in the market without any let or hindrance. The lust for wealth has so blinded the dealers that they don't realise that their quest for riches is pushing an entire generation into destruction, or that their own near and dear ones can become victims. On the other hand, the government institution entrusted with the task of checking drug abuse, the Drug Control Department, is watching like a mute spectator, because the personnel get their palms greased, and they forget that by turning a blind eye they are committing as grave sin. It is a tragedy that people suffering from metal strain due to the years of turmoil find easy escape in the use of addictive substances. An the number of such people is by no means small. But very few institutions exist that can help the sufferers kick the habit. A recently set up establishment - Dr. Shabir's Charitable De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre - feels that the number of addicts in the valley had gone up alarmingly. They comprise overwhelmingly of youth, including a large number of women. If emergency measures to de-addict and rehabilitate the victims are not taken immediately, it could give rise to a grave crisis in the near future. Dr. Shabir had up-to-date and modern experience in de-addiction and rehabilitation as he has done valuable work on this front in Germany. Though his clinic treats the unfortunate victims free of cost, Dr. Shabir says that this is not enough to counter the situation. This requires massive steps at the governmental and social levels, he says. It goes without saying that concerted efforts by the government and the society are required to effectively check drug abuse, and the Drug Control Department, together with the police will have to deal strictly with those involved in the trade. The police role is all the more accentuated because drugs are at the root of several kinds of crime fast spreading through society. In this materialistic age, unscrupulous elements, in their race for overnight riches, don't desist from deeds that ruin other people. If sometimes such elements do fall in the police net, they are inexplicably let off. The police claims that it acts against people involved in the trade. How come the trade flourishes day by day instead of dying a quiet death? - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D