Rehab Facilities Emerge as Hope for Drug-Hit Youth

At a time when drug abuse continues to pose a serious social and public health challenge in Kashmir, addiction treatment centres across the Valley are increasingly emerging as vital support systems and rays of hope for individuals trapped in substance dependency.

- Observer News Service

Health experts and officials said these centres, despite limited infrastructure, are playing a critical role in treatment, counselling and rehabilitation of drug abusers, many of whom are young and vulnerable.

Officials associated with the Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) at District Hospital Kulgam told KNO that since its establishment, the centre has registered 2,109 patients, reflecting the magnitude of the crisis as well as the growing trust in institutional treatment. Of these, 112 new patients were registered in 2025 alone, while the facility recorded an impressive 18,835 followup visits during the same year, indicating sustained engagement with those undergoing treatment.