Punjab Drug Crisis Explained: Amidst the impact of drug addiction on 66 lakh people in Punjab, increasing NDPS action and concern of the courts, know why the drug crisis could not be ended despite decades of efforts.
Campaign against drugs is not a new thing in Punjab. In the last three decades, every government from Congress to Aam Aadmi Party claimed a “war against drugs”. Police action intensified, special task forces were formed, de-addiction centers were opened and announcements were made to crack down on smugglers. But the question still remains the same, if action is being taken continuously, then why is Punjab still struggling with the country’s biggest drug crisis?
Statistics show that the challenge is not over yet
According to the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee, in Punjab, which has a population of about 3 crores, about 66 lakh people are under the influence of drugs in some form or the other. Of these, 21.36 lakh opioid users and about 6.97 lakh children are also said to be affected.
Another worrying aspect of the report is that the rate of permanent recovery after treatment in government de-addiction centers was reported to be around 1.5%. This makes it clear that police action alone is not enough, but the rehabilitation system also needs to be strengthened.
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Action increased, but smuggling network also changed
According to official data, 73,541 NDPS cases were registered in Punjab between 2022 and April 2026, compared to 52,255 in the previous years. During the same period, 98,596 arrests were made and large consignments of heroin, opium and synthetic drugs were seized.
However, experts believe that more seizures could indicate two things—either the police action has been effective, or the smuggling network is still active in the state. In recent years, the challenge of sending drugs across the border via drones and increasing smuggling of synthetic drugs has further complicated the challenge.
Not only arrest, strong system is also necessary
Both the Supreme Court and the Punjab-Haryana High Court have from time to time described the drug problem in Punjab as a serious social challenge. The courts have also raised questions about the investigation process, forensic evidence, quality of the case and the strength of the prosecution.
Experts believe that to bring Punjab out of this crisis, there will have to be not just arrests but better investigation, action on financial networks, effective rehabilitation, border security and public awareness. This is a big test not only of law and order but also of public health and good governance.
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