A drug de-addiction awareness camp was organised at Islamia Public School, Leh, on January 8 to sensitise students, parents and teachers about the growing menace of substance abuse in the district and its serious health and social consequences.

The programme was attended by Ghulam Mohd, JKAS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Leh, as the Chief Guest, along with Shamim Ahmad, Station House Officer (SHO), Leh.

Dr Padma Angmo, Head of the Psychiatry and De-addiction Department at SNM Hospital, Leh, delivered the keynote address and presented recent data from the Psychiatry OPD of the hospital, highlighting emerging and alarming trends in substance abuse.

According to the data shared, the number of patients seeking treatment for substance abuse at the Psychiatry OPD has shown a steady and concerning rise over the past few years. The total number of cases increased from 108 during March 2018–September 2020 to 537 cases between April 2023 and March 2024, and further to 796 cases during April 2024–March 2025. Although a slight decline to 633 cases was recorded during April–December 2025, the overall trend continues to remain upward.

Substance-wise analysis revealed that alcohol and tobacco were the most commonly abused substances until 2020–21. However, a significant shift in the pattern of substance abuse has been observed in recent years, marked by a sharp rise in opioid use. Opioid-related cases increased from nine cases during 2018–2020 to 87 cases in 2024–25, and further to 127 cases during April–December 2025, including a growing number of injectable drug users (IDUs).

Dr Angmo also highlighted the emergence of injectable opioid use, particularly among adolescents and young adults, which poses serious public health risks. Risk behaviours such as needle sharing were reported among many users, significantly increasing vulnerability to blood-borne infections.

The camp also drew attention to the rising incidence of Hepatitis C infections among drug users. Over the past two months, in collaboration with the NGO JKSYMP, 24 intravenous drug users were tested, of whom 22 tested positive for Hepatitis C. So far, 11 affected youths, including two females, have been initiated on antiviral therapy. It was noted that continued substance use adversely impacts treatment compliance, increasing the risk of treatment failure and further transmission.

The programme witnessed active participation from students, parents and the teaching staff of Islamia Public School. Speakers emphasised the crucial role of families, educational institutions, healthcare providers and law-enforcement agencies in prevention, early identification and rehabilitation of substance abuse cases.

The awareness camp concluded with an interactive session, reinforcing the importance of early intervention, informed decision-making and collective responsibility in building a drug-free and healthy society.