Bihar's Silent Flood: Drugs Overtake Prohibition's Success

Bihar's decade-long prohibition has seen approximately 3.16 crore litres of liquor seized and 7.15 lakh arrests made. However, a parallel drug market has emerged, featuring pocket-sized packets and vials. The state police are increasingly concerned by this shifting landscape.

Drug cases registered under the NDPS Act in the first five months of 2026 (1,905) significantly exceeded those in all of 2022 (697). Seizures of ganja nearly doubled between 2022 and 2025, and pharmaceutical 'tablets' saw a dramatic rise from 29,762 in 2022 to 9.29 lakh by early 2026.

This drug crisis is impacting juveniles, with detentions under the NDPS Act jumping from 11 in seven years (2016-2023) to 50 in 2024 alone. Beneficiaries at Union-supported de-addiction centers in Bihar surged from 1,487 in 2022-23 to 29,429 in 2024-25.

Authorities are calling for coordinated efforts, including community participation, to combat the menace. New bureaus have been established to tackle drug trafficking. The shift is from plant-based drugs to semi-synthetic and synthetic substances, including heroin and 'kota.'

Drug prices have also risen, with a vial of 'kota' costing between Rs 300-400, making it accessible. High-grade heroin and methamphetamine are entering India from Myanmar via the Northeast. The smuggling network utilizes couriers, including women, and exploits loopholes in the law.

Patna remains a top district for NDPS cases, with 389 recorded in early 2026. Police are particularly worried about cheap drugs reaching marginalized youth, with national surveys estimating tens of thousands of young users of cannabis, opioids, and inhalants in Bihar.