Punjab's Drug Menace: A Sprawling Network From Poppy Fields to Drawing Rooms

Overview of Punjab's Drug Crisis

Punjab is grappling with a severe drug crisis, primarily involving the synthetic drug "chitta" derived from heroin. A viral video showcased the extent of the problem, where a newly married woman was seen consuming chitta. The issue cuts across societal divides of class, gender, age, and geography, prompting the state government to order drug tests for all employees.

Origins: Afghanistan's Poppy Fields

Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of opium and heroin.

In 2017, the area under poppy cultivation in Afghanistan was estimated at 328,000 hectares, a 63% increase from the previous year.

Potential opium production in Afghanistan was estimated at 9,000 tons in 2017, an 87% increase from 2016.

Supply Routes and Entry Points

The drugs originating from Afghanistan's poppy fields reach Punjab through various routes:

The primary entry point is the India-Pakistan border, facilitated by smugglers.

Alternative circuitous routes involve smuggling drugs through Africa and then to Delhi and Punjab, operated by African smugglers.

Innovative methods like sliding drugs in plastic pipes through the barbed wire at the international border are used by smugglers.

Distribution Network

After entering Punjab, the drugs are packed in small packets containing 1 gram of chitta each and sold by local peddlers.

A significant portion is transported to major cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh.

Migrant laborers, poor farmers, and addicts are often used to transport drugs from border areas to cities.

Drug addicts themselves are efficient peddlers, motivated by the incentive of getting their own fix.

Reports suggest involvement of rogue police personnel and influential politicians in patronizing the drug trade.

Pricing and Marketing

The price of drugs increases as the distance from the border increases due to the risk of getting caught.

In border areas like Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Fazilka, the price of heroin is around Rs. 5,000 per gram.

In cities like Ludhiana and Chandigarh, the price can be as high as Rs. 8,000 per gram.

The Punjabi music industry has been accused of glamorizing and promoting drugs through songs, acting as a marketing machine for the trade.

Prevalence and Impact

According to the Punjab Opioid Dependence Survey (2015), the estimated size of the opioid-dependent population in Punjab is 2,32,856.

Chitta or heroin is the most common opioid drug used, reported by 53% of the opioid-dependent population.

There are an estimated 78,000 injectable opioid users in Punjab, with heroin or chitta users accounting for 61.6%.

A study in 15 villages of Jalandhar District found that every third person in Punjab is addicted to drugs other than alcohol and tobacco.

The lack of economic opportunities and psychological escape routes are cited as contributing factors to drug abuse in Punjab.