New survey revelations claim that there has been an alarming surge in drug abuse across India especially in north eastern states.
The highest per capita drug consumption has been reported not from "Udta Punjab" as many alarmists and Bollywood film makers suggested at one point.
The menace has particularly risen in border states of Mizoram and Nagaland, a former military officer and in the know of things in north east has said.
The drug abuse and smuggling figured prominently at a seminar organised under the theme 'Security Challenges to the North East : Assessment and Way Forward'.
The concerned official said - "Generally we all talk of Udta Punjab; Punjab is actually only number sixth. First top five states are in north east".
He gave the break up - Mizoram around 7 per cent, Nagaland - 6.5 per cent, Arunachal Pradesh - 5.7 per cent, Sikkim - 5.1 per cent and Manipur - 4.5 per cent.
The expert also said there is a matter of huge concern between the national per capita consumption rate is far below at around 1.68 per cent. Sources maintain while Manipur had highest per capita consumption in north east for quite some time; the scenario has changed a lot in recent years.
The incoming of Myanmar Kuki-Chin people into Mizoram following adverse law and order situation and increase in indiscriminate increase in violence in Myanmar has made people sneak into Mizoram.
"Some of these people who come from across the country can easily carry a packet or two and there is huge money in it," the source pointed out. Moreover, after Punjab in the sixth position; the next three states are also from north east, the source pointed out.
Other sources have revealed that the calendar year 2025 saw 118 drug-related deaths in Mizoram -- the highest in two decades, with a total of 1,990 deaths since 1984.
High Seizures: In 2025-26, law enforcement seized narcotics valued at over Rs 1,047 crore, including heroin, methamphetamine, and crystal meth.
As part of the "Golden Triangle" region, Mizoram is highly vulnerable, leading the state government to launch "Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan" in August 2025.
The majority of users are young adults (between 18-39 years).
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| Longwa : Bordering Myanmar in Nagaland |
Sources also say that there was an estimated drug business of Rs 7524 crore from the north east in last 4-5 years.
Nagaland is now reportedly witnessing a, "ticking time-bomb" scenario, with estimates suggesting around 1.2 lakh drug users in the state, driven by the easy availability of heroin and synthetic drugs. Around 30 kg drugs per day is consumed in Nagaland alone.
In November last year, Nagaland DGP Rupin Sharma has said that integrated, intelligence-drive and tech-led strategy has to be introduced to dismantle cross-border drug networks.
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