Drug addiction in simple terms is defined as the out-of-control use of drugs despite their negative effects. With time, more people are getting engaged in drugs, seeing it as a reason for their tranquility. However, despite knowing that drugs do not relieve stress or pain, they release dopamine (a chemical in the brain) that makes a person feel good until the substance wears off. The brain and body then want to continue this good feeling, even if it’s unhealthy. Drugs do not only affect the central nervous system but also the functioning of other organs. Drugs come in many forms, such as heroin, opioids, cannabis, alcohol, CNS Depressants, etc.
In recent years, J&K has seen an exponential increase in drug use. On August 4, 2023, the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment conveyed to the Parliament of India that approximately 13.50 lakh drug users are estimated to be in J&K, with the majority falling within the age range of 18 to 75. It reveals that not only young people are involved, but children, women and elderly too. In March 2023, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment stated that approximately one million individuals in J&K were grappling with substance abuse. The ministry also revealed that over 50% of these individuals were specifically addicted to opioids.
According to the doctors at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Srinagar (IMHANS), there has been a transition observed in drug usage patterns. Specifically, there is a shift away from using medicinal opioids like Codeine, SP, Tramadol, and Tapentadol towards more potent and dangerous hardcore drugs, predominantly intravenous (IV) heroin. It is also observed that approximately 70% of drug users test positive for HCV at IMHANS.
Drug abusers not only suffer by themselves, but they also involve their friends gradually and heavily affect their families. Drug abusers need money to fulfill their needs, and it is not easy for them to arrange without stealing money or selling their important belongings, such as their land, jewelry of their female family members like mother, sister, etc., or taking hard-earned money from their parents to fulfill their needs.
Although the Qur’an does not specifically prohibit or denounce drugs, but it prohibits the consumption of wine/intoxicants (as in Surah al Baqarah, 2: 219, Surah Al-Nisa’,4: 43, Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5: 90-91). All these verses clearly prohibit the consumption of wine and other intoxicants, considering them to be sinful and harmful.
It also gives behavioral guidance in a few verses, such as: “Do not throw yourself into danger by your own hands…” (Q. 2: 195); “You may eat, drink, but not waste” (Q. 7: 31); “Do not kill yourselves, for God Almighty is most merciful to you” (Q. 4: 29).
In addition to these verses, in a Hadith narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “Every intoxicant is khamr (wine), and every intoxicant is haram (forbidden)”. Another prophetic narration, mentioned in Sunan Abu Dawud, states that “Allah has cursed wine, its drinker, its server, its seller, its buyer, its presser, the one for whom it is pressed, the one who conveys it, and the one to whom it is conveyed”.
Many times in the Quran, Allah says that humans should develop good character, as Allah mentions: “Repel evil with what is better, and your enemy will become as close as a dear friend” (Q. 41: 34). This means that we should refrain and restrain ourselves from such things that are the cause of mischief in society. Drug abusers lose their minds and do not know what they are doing; they do not recognize who they are talking to, including their mother, sister, wife, daughter, etc. That is why Islam always calls us to refrain from such activities.
In order to stop this menace and protect our future generation, we should educate students in schools about the consequences of taking drugs and alcohol. Awareness programs should be held, and campaigns should be organized at various levels to curb this menace so that to ensure that every citizen of India, particularly J&K, knows about the ill effects of this menace. We can use posters like “Say No to Drugs and Yes to Life”, and also social media handles to aware people. The addicts should be taken to rehabilitation centers so that it does not contaminate the whole society. For that purpose, more and more rehabilitation centers like Police Drug De-addiction & Rehabilitation Center Jammu and AAGHAZ Drug De-Addiction Centre Srinagar should be established.
J&K police department is doing a commendable job by seizing the properties of drug handlers and arresting many drug handlers every day. However, they alone cannot eradicate this menace without the support of common people. It is the responsibility of every citizen to inform the police about these drug handlers wherever they are found. As humans, particularly Muslims, we should refrain from such activities, and it is the duty of every parent to watch the activities of their wards.
Let us pledge to eradicate this menace from our country, India, and particularly from Jammu and Kashmir–which is known as ‘paradise on earth’ but has turned into hell due to drug abuse.
