Who is to Blame for Punjab’s Drug Problem? Pakistan or India?

Punjab has always shared a border with Pakistan. Why has the drug menace reared its head only now?
Rishika Baruah
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Scratching the surface of Punjab’s drug problem. (Photo: The Quint)
Scratching the surface of Punjab’s drug problem. (Photo: <b>The Quint</b>)
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Pakistan is often blamed for Punjab’s menacing drug problem. But Punjab has shared a border with Pakistan for 69 years now and the drug issue has cropped up only in the last decade. Why?

Pakistan, it seems, is only a part of the problem. The Indian government’s policy to target the supply chain of drugs has backfired. The problem of drugs in Punjab, like anywhere else in the world, is one of demand and not supply. Hurting the supply will not kill the demand.

The Quint spoke to doctors, surveyors and people from the security establishment to answer the ‘why Punjab’ question and they pointed out that Rajasthan may be next.

Also Read: Why Does Punjab Have a Drug Problem? The Untold Story

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Published: 16 Jun 2016,07:54 PM IST

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