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• Builds a dependency (physical or psychological)
• Cannot function normally without the substance
• Experiences withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop
Drugs like heroin, opium, cannabis, synthetic drugs, morphine, and pharmaceutical opioids
are among the most commonly abused substances in Punjab.
Why Do People Turn to Drugs?
The reasons for drug abuse vary from person to person, but the following are common
triggers:
• Peer Pressure: Many young people begin using drugs because their friends are doing
it.
• Stress and Depression: Mental health issues, family problems, or economic stress
push individuals towards drugs as a temporary escape.
• Curiosity and Experimentation: Youth may try drugs out of curiosity or for thrill.
• Lack of Employment: Unemployed youth with idle time are more vulnerable to
addiction.
• Easy Availability: Punjab, being close to the international border, becomes a transit
route for drugs, making them easily accessible.
Extent of Drug Abuse in Punjab: A Statistical Snapshot
Punjab, once known for its green revolution and hardworking farming community, now
battles one of India's most serious drug crises.
Here’s how severe the problem is:
• Youth at Risk: A 2015 study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
reported that over 75% of Punjab’s youth had tried drugs at least once.
• Widespread Usage: The National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) and
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment conducted a survey in 2019, which found
that Punjab had one of the highest rates of opioid use in India.
• District-Level Alarming Trends: Areas like Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Moga, Bathinda,
Ferozepur, and Ludhiana are among the worst affected.
• High Death Rates: Drug overdose has become a common cause of death among
Punjab’s youth, with several tragic cases reported in recent years.
• Rehabilitation Centers Overflowing: Many rehabilitation centers are overcrowded,
indicating how common drug addiction has become.
Types of Drugs Commonly Abused in Punjab
• Heroin (Smack/Chitta): The most dangerous and commonly used narcotic.