It Started With a 'Harmless Joint,' but Heroin Addiction Spiraled their Lives Out of Control

Two Kashmiri friends in their late 20s share their journey from casual cannabis use to severe heroin addiction and their ongoing recovery. Kashmir faces a severe drug crisis. The 2022 IMHANS survey identified 52,404 dependent individuals aged 17-33 across 10 districts, with 85-95% using heroin. Approximately 61% of users inject drugs, creating public health concerns including high Hepatitis C prevalence. Recent government action includes a 100-day campaign to make J&K drug-free. Research spanning three decades identifies multiple drivers: political conflict, economic hopelessness, psychological trauma, unemployment, and easy heroin availability due to proximity to the Golden Crescent region. After six years of addiction, both men have undergone four months of treatment. They contracted Hepatitis C from shared needles and lost friends to overdose.