Dear Editor,
The increasing drug addiction among the youth in Mendhar and other areas of Poonch District has left parents worried about the future of their children while law enforcing agencies to its sharp contrast are seen least bothered to take preventive measures.
The trade in narcotics and psychotropic substances has become a lucrative ‘business’ today to make easy money which has attracted the drug mafia to mushroom in Mendhar, Surankote, Mandi and the Poonch town itself which have turned a hotspot for drugs.
While sharing some details, sources said, “There is an easy availability of drugs in various areas of Poonch town Mendhar Surankote Mandi, Balakote, Harni, Mankote Bhatadhurian, Sangoite and Kalaban localities.” Smuggling of drugs like cannabis, opium and heroin is taking place in the evening time in these and the other areas, they maintained, while adding that tentacles of drug mafia is spreading to Buffliaz, Chandimarah, Lassana town, Sathra and upper hills of Poonch and Kandi belts.
Some parents wishing on anonymity said that drug addiction in Poonch District has assumed menacing proportions with youth increasingly are found to be getting involved in more and more acts of burglary in order to fund their needs for drugs and other substances.
“I believe that the drug addicts prompt addicted to indulge on stealing from their own houses in order to buy themselves a dose. The young college going drug addicts often cheat their parents off the extra money in the name of tuition fees and pocket money,” they added.
They however alleged that district administration including police, CID and others have become mere spectators instead of coming at fore fronts to put curb against drug mafia.
“Drug culture is fast engulfing the present society. A large population of youth is lured to drugs due to easy availability and also due to the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is a transit place for international movement of drugs where they are locally cultivated and manufactured,” said another parent.
As per a recent study carried out by a local Mendhar Youth Club, the drug addiction is increasing at an alarming rate with growing number of minors and youngsters involved in the act.
Meanwhile another random surevy by a local club also shows startling revelation that 60 per cent of the population between 17 to 45 years confined to certain localities in border district is involved in drug abuse and trafficking.
M. S Nazki
Poonch
