Early Times Report
Jammu, July 23: India’s battle against narcotics has reached a critical juncture, with authorities seizing a staggering 20.8 lakh kilograms of drugs in 2022, nearly doubling the 11.37 lakh kilograms confiscated in 2021.
This alarming surge, coupled with a sharp rise in drug-related cases, underscores the growing challenge of trafficking networks and widespread substance abuse, particularly among the youth, according to data presented in the Lok Sabha.
In Jammu and Kashmir, enforcement agencies seized 17,192 kilograms of narcotics in 2022, a decline from the 27,361 kilograms confiscated in 2020. While this reduction signals improved enforcement in the Union Territory, the national trend paints a grimmer picture, with drug seizures and cases reaching unprecedented levels.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, responding to queries in the Lok Sabha, revealed that drug seizures have fluctuated significantly in recent years, with 39.19 lakh kilograms seized in 2018, 11.11 lakh kilograms in 2019, and 13.16 lakh kilograms in 2020. The dramatic spike in 2022 reflects both the growing sophistication of trafficking networks and heightened enforcement efforts.
The number of registered drug-related cases has also soared, rising from 63,137 in 2018 to 1,15,236 in 2022—an 84% increase over five years. Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 10.5 lakh kilograms of drugs seized in 2022, followed by Andhra Pradesh (1.69 lakh kilograms), Odisha (1.44 lakh kilograms), and Rajasthan (1.55 lakh kilograms).
Kerala reported the most significant surge in enforcement, with drug-related cases skyrocketing from 8,724 in 2018 to 26,619 in 2022—a 205% increase. Karnataka followed with a sixfold rise, from 1,030 cases in 2018 to 6,399 in 2022, highlighting the expanding reach of the drug trade across states.
A 2019 national survey conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Ministry of Social Justice revealed the depth of India’s drug crisis, particularly among younger demographics. An estimated 40 lakh children aged 10–17 were using opioids, while 20 lakh were consuming cannabis. Among adults aged 18–75, approximately 2.9 crore were cannabis users, and 1.9 crore used opioids, with sedatives, cocaine, and amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) also prevalent across both age groups.
This alarming trend among the youth has raised concerns about the long-term social and health impacts of drug abuse, prompting calls for urgent intervention.
To combat the crisis, the Indian government has rolled out a comprehensive strategy targeting both supply and demand. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has intensified its crackdown on international trafficking networks, registering 116 major cases between 2020 and May 2025. These operations led to the seizure of over 1.09 lakh kilograms of narcotics and targeted the financial underpinnings of drug syndicates under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), 1988.
On the prevention and rehabilitation front, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (Drug-Free India Campaign) has reached over 16.49 crore citizens, including 5.51 crore youth, through awareness programs aimed at shifting the narrative from addiction to recovery. The campaign emphasizes education, community engagement, and access to rehabilitation services to curb drug abuse.
The sharp rise in drug seizures and cases reflects both the growing audacity of trafficking networks and the government’s intensified efforts to dismantle them. However, the widespread availability of narcotics, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, underscores the need for sustained action. Experts advocate for advanced surveillance, stronger international cooperation, and expanded rehabilitation programs to address the root causes of addiction.
As India confronts this escalating crisis, the government’s multi-faceted approach—combining enforcement, financial crackdowns, and public awareness—aims to curb the spread of narcotics and protect vulnerable populations, particularly the youth, from the devastating impact of drug abuse. |
