Manipur ranks high in substance abuse chart
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 20 2023:
Even as Manipur continues to burn due to the ongoing crisis that has killed more than 170 people and displaced thousands, the demand to curb poppy cultivation, drug trade and narco-terrorism activities has gained traction with representatives of State CSOs raising the issue of poppy cultivation at the 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Flagged as one of the major reasons behind the current conflict between communities involving armed Kuki militants, curbing poppy cultivation, drugs menace including opium and heroin has been the focus of the Government for years.
Amid this growing concern of the people, let's see where Manipur stands in terms of substance use, especially the prevalence of Opioids use in India.
According to 'Magnitude of Substance Use in India 2019' a report published by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, Manipur is 5th highest in the country in terms of prevalence of opioids use, opium, heroin etc between the 10-75 year age group.
Prevalence of opioids use, opium, heroin etc among people in the age group 10-75 years in Manipur is 4 percent, 5th highest in India, according to the report.
Significantly, five States of the North East India including Manipur, due to close proximity to the Golden Triangle and emerging large scale poppy cultivation in the region, have the highest prevalence rate (opioids) .
Mizoram has the highest prevalence of opioid use at 6.90 percent followed by Nagaland with 6.5 percent, Arunachal Pradesh with 5.70 percent and Sikkim with 5.10 percent.
According to the same report, the prevalence of alcohol use among the age group 10-75 year in Manipur is 22.4 percent, 8th highest in the country.
The prevalence of Ganja use in Manipur is 2.8 percent, 10th highest in the country.