Patna: Bihar’s rapid development is being undermined by the growing problem of drug abuse, warned Social Welfare Minister Madan Sahni on Wednesday, urging the establishment of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in every district of the state.
Speaking at an event organised by the Social Welfare Department to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Sahni described substance misuse — particularly among the youth — as a “canker” on society. The programme took place at the Convention Bhawan in the old secretariat complex of Patna.
“Bihar’s environment has changed. There are no longer disturbances at street corners like before, but addiction remains a silent epidemic,” Sahni said. He called for awareness campaigns to be extended to the panchayat level and emphasised the need for grassroots engagement to prevent young people from falling into substance abuse.
According to Bandana Preyashi, Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, a 2018 government survey found around 1.75 million drug users in Bihar, consuming substances including cannabis, hashish, opium, and synthetic drugs such as brown sugar. Alarming reports have also emerged of youth applying Iodex on bread for intoxication — a trend Preyashi described as deeply worrying.
She added that the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction is being implemented in every district, with awareness drives in schools and colleges to reach students before they turn to drugs.
Abhishek Anand, Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau, echoed the urgency, stating, “Drug addiction is fatal for society.” He stressed the need to intervene before youth take the first step towards addiction. Rajesh Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Prohibition, added that since the enforcement of alcohol prohibition in Bihar, a shift towards dry drug use and injectable substances has become evident — a trend he called “deeply concerning”.
Manoj Kumar Singh, coordinator of the Sister Nivedita Memorial Trust’s de-addiction centre, highlighted that addiction is a treatable disease, while Dr Santosh Kumar of NMCH likened it to chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. “It can relapse, so prevention is key,” he said.
