Last week, the Governor-led state administrative council cleared first drug de-addiction policy for J&K. The policy provides a framework for interventions for reducing the prevalence substance abuse in the state. However, whether this policy will see effective, change oriented implementation on ground, or it will be relegated to files only will depend on how, the impediments are addressed. One of the biggest challenges in translation of policy into action is the change in perception and attitude that it demands. For long, substance abusers have been treated with disdain and contempt, said a psychiatrist who was part of the team that framed the policy. The policy seeks that substance abuse be treated as a health issue rather than a criminal one. It calls for treatment of abuse in the geographical premises of a healthcare institute rather than a separate set-up, so that the message is put across boldly that drug-addiction is one of the problems that are provided treatment in healthcare ambit “just like other diseases”. Given that most of those suffering substance abuse are in the young age group, the role of schools and other educational institutes in addressing the problem is of vital importance. The policy seeks that information about drug abuse, and its various forms, in addition to means for seeking help be included in curriculum by department of education. Schools must have regular counseling sessions for students about substance abuse. In addition, teachers must also be trained to identify as well as act in a scientific and goal oriented manner in cases of drug abuse. The entire project about drug de-addiction will be spearheaded by two government medical colleges of the State. But given that 15 departments are involved in implementation of the policy, through various specialized interventions, it provides a unique framework, but a coordination challenge as well. First and foremost, three departments will be involved in taking care of supply chain of substances of abuse – police, narcotics and excise department. The roles of the three are overlapping at times, but nonetheless designed to ensure reduction in availability of drugs. “The police department needs to ensure a proper regulatory control on drug peddling issues. The department can mobilize its intelligence wing to gather inputs and make proper decisions,” said another doctor. The excise and taxation department has a pivotal role in plugging the supply channels of drugs. This role has been reiterated in the policy which calls for education as well as stringent action regarding cultivation of illicit crops such as poppy and cannabis. However, the policy takes into account the fact that mere punitive action cannot bring down the cultivation of these crops. It seeks the department to liaison with horticulture and agriculture departments and explore that cultivation of alternative crops could be as cash-worthy. Farmers could then be educated about these alternatives. Apart from its defined mandate of enforcing stricter vigil on entry points of the state, the excise department will also need to take feedback and information from de-addiction centers in order to strengthen intelligence about cultivation patterns and supply chains, said the doctor. “This well-connected, well-networked informatics system can bring about a paradigm shift in drug-ravaged state, if implemented.” Taking into account how drug addiction wreaks havoc with the lives and livelihoods of the affected persons, the policy seeks comprehensive schemes to provide skill and livelihood rehabilitation for the affected. The department of social welfare has been given the mandate of designing and implementing rehabilitation centers where patients could be helped to come out of the vicious cycle of addiction by proving them skills to earn. However, given the reputation that social welfare schemes enjoy in terms of backlog and tardy implementations, it would need the state’s strict and continuous monitoring and assessment to bring about greater accountability. Since the health department remains at the center of this project, its role and performance is automatically the engine which would run the train of 15 departments. From running well-equipped d-addiction centers at peripheral as well as tertiary care level to providing guidance to other departments, health systems also need a revamp in the state. Acknowledging that there is a knowledge gap regarding drug de-addiction, the policy underlines the importance of raining medical officers as well as paramedic staff from directorates of health services of Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from that, a psychiatrist, trained in various aspects of de-addiction is an entity without which no de-addition center will run. This set-up is in line with the policy that seeks to treat drug-addiction as a mental health problem with physical, social and psychological ramifications. The success or failure of the government to ensure adequate staff ranging from psychiatrist at peripheral level to nurses and counselors will determine the success and failure of these centers to a large extent. Currently, the only fully-functional de-addiction center in Kashmir is run by Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar’s Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS). This department, along with department of psychiatry at GMC Jammu has the mandate of serving as nodal centers for all activities spelt out in the policy. From training to providing treatment for complicated cases, these departments have a plethora of activities and interventions to dole out. However, whether Government would extend the requisite support in terms of manpower and timely and regular funding, needs to be seen. The sanction to the policy is the first step. J&K needs commitment for its effective implementation in long journey towards freeing the state from vicious cycle of drugs, and ensure a brighter future of upcoming generation.
J&K’s journey towards ‘drug-free society’ beings as SAC clears maiden de-addiction policy
