Kashmir’s Prescription Problem

Prescription painkillers are becoming the latest threat to young people in Kashmir, exposing gaps in mental health support, awareness, and regulation.

- Shahid Shafi Rather

Kashmiri youth are facing a new kind of danger. Pregabalin, a prescription medication meant to treat neuropathic pain, epilepsy, and anxiety, is increasingly being misused across the region.

What begins as a legitimate treatment for discomfort or anxiety can quickly spiral into dependence when the drug is taken in higher doses, often without medical supervision.

Its sedative and euphoric effects make it an appealing choice for recreational use, adding another layer to the region’s longstanding battle with substance abuse.

Recent reports from regional de-addiction centers reveal a troubling reality. Nearly 44% of patients seeking help cite Pregabalin as their primary drug of misuse, and over half combine it with opioids, tramadol, or codeine.

Most users are young men, between 18 and 35, facing unemployment, academic pressure, and limited access to mental health care. Many start with a legitimate prescription, unaware that dependence can creep in silently, sometimes hidden from families and doctors.

Several forces fuel this rise.