Rising Drug Abuse in Ladakh Sparks Urgent Call for Action

A surge in drug abuse cases in Ladakh is causing serious social challenges, especially with increasing numbers of minors involved. V K Saxena urges collective action to combat the problem, highlighting the disturbing rise in opioid and cannabis addiction.

Ladakh is witnessing a worrying surge in drug abuse cases, with Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena warning that this poses a major social challenge for the region. He highlighted that individuals across all age groups are at risk, with minors and girls increasingly involved in substance abuse.

Saxena pointed to official data indicating 298 new drug abuse cases recently, including significant numbers involving opioid addiction and cannabis use. He has instructed the police to enforce strict anti-drug measures and to initiate a crackdown on drug traffickers.

The Lieutenant Governor called for community engagement, urging social, religious, and educational bodies to raise awareness about the dangers of narcotics. He also encouraged citizens to report any drug-related incidents, stressing on the critical need for parent and youth vigilance.