Lok Sabha Question No. 2725 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Smuggling of Narcotic Substances
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Dinesh Chandra Yadav, Shri Giridhari Yadav, Shri Ramprit Mandal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2725

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 25, 1947 (SAKA)

## SMUGGLING OF NARCOTIC SUBSTANCES

†2725. SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV: SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV: SHRI RAMPRIT MANDAL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the use of narcotic substances is increasing in the country;

(b)  whether  the  incidents  of  smuggling  of  narcotic  substances  and seizures of major consignments are on the rise during the last five years;

(c) whether the problems like social alienation and mental health on the rise due to use of narcotic substances; and

(d) whether the Government is serious about such problems and if so, the steps taken to tackle this?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) To assess and know the magnitude of the problem of substance use in the country, a comprehensive national level Survey on the 'Magnitude of Substance Abuse in India' was conducted by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJ&E) through National Drug Dependence Treatment Center (NDDTC),  AIIMS,  New Delhi  which was  published  in 2019. As per

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 2725 FOR 16.12.2025

the  Survey,  the  Prevalence  (in  %)  and  estimated  number  of  adults  and children who are users of various psychoactive substances is as under:

| Substance         | Children & Adolescents (10-17 years)   | Children & Adolescents (10-17 years)   | Adults (18-75 years)     | Adults (18-75 years)     |
|-------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
|                   | Prevalence Estimated                   | Prevalence Estimated                   | Prevalence Estimated no. | Prevalence Estimated no. |
|                   | ( in %)                                | no. of users                           | ( in %)                  | of users                 |
| Cannabis          | 0.90                                   | 20,00,000                              | 3.30                     | 2,90,00,000              |
| Opioids           | 1.80                                   | 40,00,000                              | 2.10                     | 1,90,00,000              |
| Sedatives         | 0.58                                   | 20,00,000                              | 1.21                     | 1,10,00,000              |
| Cocaine           | 0.06                                   | 2,00,000                               | 0.11                     | 10,00,000                |
| ATS               | 0.18                                   | 4,00,000                               | 0.18                     | 20,00,000                |
| Hallucinogens0.07 | Hallucinogens0.07                      | 2,00,000                               | 0.13                     | 20,00,000                |

Source: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

- (b) As  per  latest  data  published  by  National  Crime  Records  Bureau (NCRB)  pertaining  to  the  year  2023,  the  total  quantity  of  drug  seized during 2019 to 2023 is as under: -

| Year   | Quantity of Drug seized   | Quantity of Drug seized   | Quantity of Drug seized   |
|--------|---------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|
|        | Kgs                       | Nos                       | Ltrs                      |
| 2019   | 1111646.073               | 20849422                  | 11735699.605              |
| 2020   | 1316767.239               | 59255051                  | 1104231.997               |
| 2021   | 1137145.702               | 48412687                  | 895626.337                |
| 2022   | 2080575.536               | 17490971                  | 4640749.099               |
| 2023   | 1035540.089               | 20905286                  | 1969579.414               |

Source: Crime in India (NCRB).

- (c) & (d) The Government is taking various measures to tackle the issue of use of narcotic substances, some of which are as under: -
- (i) A  National  Narcotics  Helpline  No.  1933  'Madak -Padarth  Nished Asoochna  Kendra'  (MANAS)  has  been  created  a  24x7  toll -free  National Narcotics Call Centre helpline.   Accordingly, MANAS has been envisioned as an integrated system providing a single  platform  for  citizens  to  log, register,  track  and  resolve  drug  related  issues/problems through various modes of communication like call, SMS, Chat-bot, e-mail & web-link.

- (ii) A Toll-free Helpline No.14446  for de-addiction is operated  for providing primary counseling and immediate  assistance to persons seeking help. Till  date  more-than  4.30  lakh  calls  have  been  received on the Toll-free Helpline for de-addiction.
- (iii) Launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in all districts of the country. It has reached out to more than 24.9 crore people including 8.7 crore youth and 6 crore women.
- (iv) Government  is  providing  financial  assistance  to  349  Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for   Addicts  (IRCAs),  45  Community  based  Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) Centers, 76 Outreach and Drop In Centers (ODICs), 154  Addiction  Treatment  Facilities  (ATFs),  139  District  De-addiction Centres (DDACs) across the country.
- (v) Government  through  its  autonomous  body  National  Institute  of Social Defense (NISD) and other collaborating agencies like State Counsel of Educational  Research  and Training (SCERT), Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan  (KVS),  etc.  provides  for  regular  awareness  generation  and sensitization  sessions  for  all  stakeholders  including  students,  teachers, parents.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 2725 FOR 16.12.2025

- (vi) Navchetna Modules, Teachers Training Modules have been developed by Ministry of Social  Justice  &  Empowerment  (MoSJE)  for sensitizing students (6th -11th standard),   teachers  and  parents  on  drug dependence, related coping strategies and life skills.

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