Saturday, March 29, 2025
Punjab continues to face a deepening drug crisis, with the latest report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) revealing shocking statistics. The state now records more drug traffickers than actual drug users, making it the leading region in India for narcotics-related trade.
According to the NCRB, Punjab has the highest rate of drug trafficking cases in the country. The report notes 25.3 trafficking cases per one lakh population, compared with only 12.4 cases of drug abuse. This unusual ratio highlights that Punjab’s population is more engaged in the supply chain of narcotics than in consumption.
For the second consecutive year, Punjab has reported the highest number of drug overdose deaths in India. In 2023, 89 people died due to overdoses in the state, down from 144 deaths in 2022. Madhya Pradesh followed with 85 deaths, and Rajasthan ranked third with 84. Nationally, 654 overdose deaths were recorded in 2023, underscoring the severity of the crisis.
Punjab’s neighboring hill state, Himachal Pradesh, has also shown alarming trends. Though not among the top ten states in overall NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act) cases, Himachal recorded 2,146 cases in 2023. Analysis reveals that of these, 1,599 were related to trafficking, while 547 were linked to consumption. This translates to 21.3 trafficking cases and 7.3 consumption cases per one lakh people. Its geography—bordering Punjab and Jammu—makes it vulnerable as a transit corridor for narcotics smuggling.
Punjab ranks third in the total number of NDPS cases, with 11,589 cases filed in 2023. Kerala tops the list with 30,697 cases, followed by Maharashtra with 15,610. However, the trend in these southern states differs sharply: the majority of their cases are linked to consumption rather than trafficking, unlike Punjab where supply dominates.
The NCRB data underscores how Punjab has become both a trafficking hub and the epicenter of overdose-related deaths. While southern states battle consumption, Punjab’s problem lies more in organized supply chains fueling the wider drug economy. The contrast raises urgent questions about enforcement, prevention, and the state’s vulnerability as a gateway for narcotics.
