5.7 crore alcohol users, 72 lakh cannabis users and about 77 opioid addicts need urgent treatment

There has been a tremendous increase in the consumption of psychoactive substances for the last few decades. Every critical or depressing situation leads to the consumption of psychoactive substance and alcohol is the most common substance used to overcome tension, anxiety, and depression.

Social Justice and Empowerment minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said that there are approximately 16 crore alcohol consumers, 3.1 crore cannabis consumers, and 77 lakhs opioids consumers in our country.

He further said that these stats are according to the National Household Survey conducted by the ministry of social justice and empowerment in 2018.

Out of the above mention psychoactive substance consumers 5.7 crore alcohol consumers, 77 lakh cannabis users, and 76 lakhs opioid users are addicted to an extreme level. They need urgent treatment to overcome their respective addiction.

The survey was conducted in all 28 states and 7 union territories in association with National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC).