Madhya Pradesh climbs to sixth place in India’s drug abuse case rankings

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh ranks sixth in the country in drug abuse. A total of 2,809 cases were registered in MP this year until Sept, the information was shared in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

The states above MP in drug abuse were Kerala, Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, respectively. The average from the year 2021 states no fewer than 13 cases of drug abuse were registered every day in MP, while the number of arrested accused was 14 per day.
As per the comprehensive national survey on the extent and pattern of substance use in India 2018, the details of drug abuse in the country point out that cannabis is the most widely used drug. It was followed by opioids, sedatives, inhalants, cocaine, ATS, and hallucinogens, respectively.
The issue of drug abuse has been a cause of concern in MP, like other states. It was also raised in the MP state assembly on July 2. The govt stated that from Jan 2019 to April 2024, a total of 20,257 cases were registered under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Prevention) Act 1985.
The state govt stated in the assembly that 1,969 cases of smack, 410 cases of opium, 14,500 cases of marijuana, 1,200 cases of poppy husk, 86 cases of hashish, 643 cases of marijuana plant, 42 cases of opium plant, and 1,407 cases of chemical drugs were registered in the state, with a total quantity of 11,05,659.974 kg. On average, over 600 kilograms of contraband were seized daily in Madhya Pradesh in the past five years between Jan 2019 and April 2024.
In total, 25,430 accused were arrested. In order to tighten the grip on criminals involved in smuggling, MP police took action against smugglers involved in the illegal drug trade against a total of 50 accused under the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking and NDPS Act from the year 2019 to April 2024. While taking action against a total of 30 accused under Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators Act action was taken by seizing/freezing movable property worth Rs 7,18,49,600 and immovable property worth Rs 46,96,31,637.
To create awareness about drug abuse and its ill effects, MP police organised a campaign across the state. From time to time, rallies, banners, posters, street plays, debates, painting, and slogan competitions are organised in schools and colleges and among the general public by involving eminent citizens, social welfare organisations, and public representatives of the area. From the year 2019 to April 2024, a total of 27,027 de-addiction awareness programmes were organised in MP, benefiting 23,13,063 students and the general public, the reply stated in the MP assembly in July.