Drug Trafficking & National Security
Punjab, due to its proximity to the heroin-producing region (Golden Crescent: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran), faces major drug trafficking issues.
The state shares an International Border with Pakistan, which has been accused of using drug trafficking as part of a "proxy war" against India.
Pakistan has also been sending drugs to the Jammu region.
Drug smugglers are using drones to send narcotics across the border, shifting to smaller drones with lighter payloads to minimize losses.
In 2024, BSF seized 294 drones and recovered 283 kg of heroin, apprehending smugglers from both India and Pakistan.
Demand and Consumption
Punjab is not just a supply route but a major drug consumer.
Over the past three years, 39,832 arrests have been made, and 2,710 kg of heroin was seized.
A 2022 study revealed that 15% (41 lakh people) of Punjab’s population is involved in drug use, with opioids being the most consumed.
Injection drug use is prevalent, contributing to a high rate of HIV cases. Drug overdoses caused 159 deaths in 2022–23.
Corruption and Challenges
Institutional corruption and a nexus between politicians, police, and drug traffickers make it difficult to combat the issue.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had to transfer 10,000 police personnel due to their involvement with drug peddlers.
The police face challenges investigating modern drug smuggling methods and are focusing more on reducing supply than addressing rehabilitation and demand.
Need for Political Will & Long-Term Action
The issue requires strong political will, as current efforts are not sufficient.
A comprehensive strategy focusing on both legal measures and rehabilitation is needed to tackle the problem in the long term.
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