Three decades, multiple governments, one crisis: Why Punjab still battles drugs

Punjab's long-running battle against drug abuse has remained one of the state's biggest governance challenges, continuing across different political administrations and raising questions about why repeated promises and enforcement campaigns have not produced a lasting solution.

From the Congress governments to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration, successive leaders have announced action plans, launched anti-drug campaigns, created enforcement units and expanded rehabilitation efforts. However, official data, parliamentary observations and judicial remarks indicate that the crisis remains deeply rooted.

The available evidence suggests that Punjab's drug problem cannot be linked to a single government or one policy failure. Instead, it reflects a complex challenge involving organised trafficking networks, border security concerns, addiction treatment gaps, socio-economic pressures and weaknesses in enforcement and rehabilitation systems.

A crisis affecting millions

One of the most significant assessments of Punjab's drug situation came from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment, which cited survey estimates suggesting that nearly 66 lakh people in Punjab use drugs in a state with a population of around three crore.

The committee highlighted an estimated 21.36 lakh opioid users and nearly 6.97 lakh children affected by drug use. It also pointed towards concerns over rehabilitation outcomes, noting that reported cure rates at government de-addiction centres were around 1.5 per cent.

These figures indicate that the issue extends beyond criminal enforcement and requires a broader public health approach involving treatment, counselling, recovery support and prevention programmes.

Supreme Court and judicial concerns

Punjab's drug crisis has also drawn attention from the judiciary. The Supreme Court has previously described the situation as alarming and stressed the need for effective measures to address the social impact of drug abuse.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has also raised concerns in several cases, observing that drug abuse has affected the state's social fabric. Courts have repeatedly highlighted challenges related to investigation quality, evidence handling, forensic procedures and delays in trials under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Judicial observations have underlined that arrests alone cannot solve the problem unless investigations lead to successful prosecutions and major trafficking networks are disrupted.

Enforcement efforts and rising seizures

Punjab Police have increased anti-drug operations in recent years, with official data showing a rise in NDPS cases, arrests and narcotics seizures.

Between 2017-2021 and 2022-April 2026, official figures showed an increase in NDPS cases registered and arrests made. Heroin seizures also rose significantly, while recoveries of synthetic drugs such as crystal methamphetamine increased sharply.

The rise in seizures reflects intensified enforcement and improved detection efforts. However, it also indicates that trafficking networks continue to remain active despite repeated crackdowns.

Experts have argued that measuring success only through arrests and seizures does not provide a complete picture, as dismantling organised networks requires financial investigations, asset seizures, intelligence sharing and stronger prosecution.

Changing nature of drug trafficking

Punjab's drug ecosystem has changed over the years. While heroin smuggling through international borders was once the primary concern, agencies have increasingly reported the movement of synthetic drugs.

Security agencies have raised concerns about organised smuggling networks and the use of modern methods, including drones, to transport narcotics across border areas.

The changing nature of trafficking has made the challenge more complex, requiring coordination between police, intelligence agencies, financial investigators and border security forces.

Rehabilitation remains a major challenge

Experts have repeatedly pointed out that reducing supply alone cannot eliminate addiction. Substance dependence often requires long-term medical treatment, counselling, family support and rehabilitation.

The low reported recovery rates at government de-addiction centres highlight concerns about whether existing treatment systems are sufficient to prevent relapse.

Without effective rehabilitation and reintegration support, many recovered individuals may return to substance use, allowing the cycle of addiction to continue.

Social and economic impact

Punjab's drug crisis has affected families, communities and the state's economy. Addiction has been linked with loss of employment, financial stress, healthcare costs and disruption of education.

Families often face emotional and economic burdens while seeking treatment for affected members. At the community level, addiction places additional pressure on healthcare services, law enforcement and social welfare systems.

The long-term impact goes beyond crime statistics and affects productivity, human resources and social development.

The accountability question

Punjab's drug crisis has continued through different political cycles, with each government promising stronger action and announcing new strategies.

The evidence does not suggest that every intervention has failed. Increased seizures, specialised police units and intelligence operations have disrupted trafficking networks in several cases.

However, continuing drug-related cases, judicial concerns and rehabilitation challenges show that enforcement measures alone have not been enough.

The crisis now represents a wider test of governance and institutional capacity. A long-term solution would require stronger investigations, faster trials, better forensic systems, financial action against trafficking networks, improved rehabilitation facilities and sustained public health interventions.

The central question is no longer whether governments have promised action against drugs, but whether institutions have developed the capacity and consistency needed to achieve lasting change.