Afiya, a 24-year-old from Indian-administered Kashmir, sits silently in a rehabilitation ward in Srinagar, recovering from the devastating effects of heroin addiction. Once a bright student who dreamt of soaring the skies as a flight attendant, her life took a tragic turn during the region’s tumultuous years following the abrogation of its special status in 2019 and the subsequent lockdown. Left jobless, hopeless, and seeking solace, Afiya fell victim to the growing wave of Kashmir heroin addiction, a crisis now gripping the region.

According to reports, nearly 1.35 million of Kashmir’s 12 million residents are now drug users, a startling increase from 350,000 recorded in 2022. Experts link this growing trend of drug abuse in Kashmir to mental health struggles, unemployment, and the region’s proximity to the opium-producing “Golden Crescent.” The escalation of heroin use among the youth, including women, has reached alarming levels, with treatment centres overwhelmed by the surge in patients.

An Epidemic in Crisis

Afiya recounts how her descent into addiction began with modest temptations, such as cannabis, to cope with mounting stresses. But the allure of heroin soon took over, leading to unrelenting physical and emotional devastation. She speaks candidly of her struggle with withdrawal symptoms, infected wounds, and the erosion of her once-independent life. Her parents, grappling with their anguish, brought her to a hospital in a desperate bid to save her, battling stigma and secrecy along the way.

Urgent Need for Community Action

Medical professionals warn of heroin’s aggressive grip. Once rare, heroin addiction now dominates drug abuse cases in Kashmir, with hospitals like Srinagar’s SMHS witnessing a staggering increase in patients. For women like Afiya, seeking help is further complicated by societal judgement, adding to the already steep challenge of overcoming addiction.

Health experts highlight the pressing need for robust prevention measures and accessible rehabilitation services in combating this escalating crisis. However, as the epidemic unfolds, stories like Afiya’s serve as a haunting reminder of the urgent need for stronger community awareness and support systems to address the pervasive issue of Kashmir heroin addiction.

Source: Aljazeera