As soon as the name of Punjab comes, the first image that emerges in people’s mind is drugs and intoxication. These days the Punjab government is also running a campaign due to which drugs and intoxication are once again on the rise. From films like Udta Punjab to political speeches, Punjab is often described as the biggest drug hub of the country but the figures of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) are telling a different story. These figures present a different picture from this perception. According to official records, Punjab does not rank first in the country in drug related cases. According to the data, Kerala tops the list, while Maharashtra is at second and Punjab at third.
According to the available data of NCRB, about 1.15 lakh cases were registered under the NDPS Act across the country in the year 2022. Most of these cases were reported in Kerala. Maharashtra remained at second position while Punjab reached third position. After this, names of states like Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were also included in the list. According to the data, Kerala’s share in the total cases was about 23 percent, Maharashtra’s 12 percent and Punjab’s about 11 percent. That means a large number of drug cases in the country have been registered only in these three states.
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The truth behind the statistics
Even though the statistics show that the drug problem in Punjab is less than other states, it is a big issue in Punjab today. Experts say that it would not be right to consider a state as a drug hub solely on the basis of registered cases. NCRB itself clarifies in its report that its figures are based on cases registered with the police. This means that where the police is more active, the number of cases may also be seen to be higher. Anti-drug campaigns are conducted on a large scale in many states, due to which the number of FIRs and arrests increases.
Drug cases are continuously increasing
The sudden increase in drug cases has also increased the concern of the agencies. According to NCRB, while in the year 2021, about 78 thousand NDPS cases were registered across the country, in 2022 this figure increased to more than 1.15 lakh. That means an increase of about 47 percent was recorded in just one year. According to the report, there was also a huge jump in cases related to personal consumption and personal use. In 2021, the number of such cases was around 46 thousand, which increased to more than 77 thousand the next year.
Election issue drugs in Punjab
There is more debate about drugs in Punjab because drugs have been a big political and social issue there for a long time. Incidents like cross-border smuggling, heroin supply through drones and drug addiction among the youth have continuously kept the state in the headlines. According to the Narcotics Control Bureau report, a major part of the heroin seized across the country in 2024 was recovered from Punjab. There has also been an increase in the incidents of dropping drugs through drones in the border areas.
Assembly elections will be held in Punjab early next year. Before these elections, the issue of drugs has once again arisen in the state. Punjab government has launched a campaign against drug abuse. At the same time, opposition parties are accusing the government of not working against drugs. This issue has started emerging as a big issue in the assembly elections.
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Big issue in other states also
Despite this, statistics also show that the drug network is spreading rapidly not only in Punjab, but also in Kerala, Maharashtra, Haryana and other states. According to Haryana Police, a record number of NDPS cases were registered in the state in 2025 and thousands of people were arrested. In Himachal Pradesh also, the situation regarding Chitta i.e. synthetic drugs remains serious. There the government has started a survey and monitoring campaign up to the Panchayat level. Along with this, the government is running a campaign against drug addiction on a large scale. Apart from this, drugs are now becoming a political and social issue in states like Jammu and Kashmir.
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