Punjab's Youth Addiction Crisis Highlights Deep Economic and Social Strains
· India · Indian Express, Hindustan Times
Over 10 lakh people in Punjab have registered at government de-addiction clinics since the state opened them, capturing only those who provided their names. Opium has a centuries-old history in the region's agricultural and social traditions, but the crisis has shifted with the rise of synthetic drugs like heroin, known locally as chitta. Medical experts note that heroin's rapid absorption rate fundamentally rewires brain receptors compared to traditional opium consumption. This chemical dependence renders willpower ineffective, leaving addicts trapped in a cycle where their bodies can no longer process normal comfort. The underlying vulnerability stems from a lack of stable work, economic rank, and future prospects for the state's young population.
Why it matters
The addiction crisis severely impacts Punjab's young workforce, tearing through rural communities and straining public healthcare infrastructure.
Read the original report — Indian Express
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.