Mohammad Tahir
BUDGAM: The drug addiction among youth is on rise, and the law enforcement agencies have failed to take youth into confidence for guidance and counseling, with the result it has become a worrisome for parents to control their kids.
Sources said that the youth from various villages of Budgam district have been found in drug addiction due to which there is an increase in crime rate besides youth are getting easy access to drugs which are being sold by some drug mafias on daily basis.
Drug mafias have been luring the young buds towards drugs in various areas like Magam Kanihama, Makhama, Rathsun, Gund, Arath and some parts of Narbal, due to which local populace has got worried about their future generation.
Sources said that, from past one month people of these areas have been noticing that, youth assemble in groups and were found taking drugs at isolated places, while as the male population remains out of their homes during Tarawie and Sehri time, with which there remains a chance of burglaries.
The drug addiction is not only found in local youth but the college students too have been addicted towards this menace.
“Even though they often cheat their parents for extra money by the name of tuition fees and pocket money, actually they are using the same money in some tablets, and syrups,” local resident said.
“The administration has failed to take notice of this, and even though police can depute their men in civil uniforms and can involve the social activist to control this menace,” he added.
Sources said that drug culture is fast engulfing the present society especially young ones. A large population of youth is lured to drugs due to their easy availability and also due to the fact that J&K is a transit place for international movement of drugs where they are locally cultivated and manufactured.
However local residents of Magam area said that, cannabis is the most commonly used drug, largely because it’s easily available and youth have easy access to drug mafias.
“I have myself witnessed that, young boys and girls were using glue and paint thinner as drugs, and it is far off from the understanding of a common Kashmiri, they have seen it first time, as I believe,” said another local resident of Upper Magam.
“At the same time I must tell you that, drug addiction and social issues are not new to Kashmir, even though the government, police and NGOs have been offering counseling and de-addiction facilities to youth, but manifold has increase from past many few in our valley,” he said.
“There are many places where de-addiction centers were opened so that counseling and guidance for the budding youth could be held, but government itself has failed to do anything concrete for youth who are found involved in drug addictions, sources told the Street Times.