Srinagar Apr 08 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Member of the Parliament from Anantnag Hasnain Masoodi on Saturday released Rs 10 lakh each in favour of South Kashmir district commissioners for setting up integrated rehabilitation centers for drug addicts from his MPLADS fund. 

Masoodi said the menace of drug addiction has reached alarming levels across Jammu and Kashmir. “The reply given in Lok Sabha to a question on drug addiction, by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment would reveal that more than eight lakh people are users of various psychoactive substances (drugs) in Jammu and Kashmir. The increasing drug addiction calls for a multi pronged strategy including setting up of adequate Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs), De-addiction Centers and Rehabilitation Centers,” he said. 

"The reply in Lok Sabha also indicates that only one Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) has been set up in Jammu and Kashmir as against 340 such Centers in the country. The rehabilitation facilities for the victims of drug addictions are in the circumstances grossly inadequate,” he added. 

in this connection Masoodi shot a letter to DC Anantnag which reads, "Having regard to alarming hike in drug addiction I find it appropriate to help setting up of Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) at Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama. Therefore kindly release an amount of Rs.10.00 lac (rupees ten lac only) each (Rs 40 lakh in total) in favour of District Development Commissioner Anantnag, District Development Commissioner Kulgam, District Development Commissioner Shopian, District Development Commissioner Pulwama.” 

The letter further reads, “The District Development Commissioner shall take steps for setting up of the Centers at respective District Headquarters at the earliest and transmit information regarding utilization of the amount released to the undersigned as also the Nodal District under MPLADS.”(KNS)