Tamil Nadu tops drug overdose deaths, replaces Punjab
What's the story
Tamil Nadu has replaced Punjab as the state with the most drug overdose deaths in India in 2024, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The southern state reported 313 such deaths in 2024, surpassing Punjab's 106 and Madhya Pradesh's 90. As many as 978 drug overdose deaths were reported across India that year.
Rising numbers
Contrasting trends in overdose deaths
In 2021, Tamil Nadu had also recorded the highest number of drug overdose deaths at 250 out of a total of 737. The state had then reduced the figures to 50 in 2022 and further to 65 in 2023. However, the latest NCRB data shows a sharp increase in drug overdose deaths in Tamil Nadu, with methamphetamine emerging as one of the most abused drugs.
New trends
Methamphetamine most abused drug in Tamil Nadu
The TOI reported that methamphetamine is one of the most abused drugs in Tamil Nadu, with the quantities seized pointing to a well-organized distribution network. Hydroponic weed, a potent strain of cannabis grown indoors and imported from countries like Thailand and the US, is also on the rise. Pharmaceutical drugs such as tramadol and alprazolam are widely abused too, with seizures jumping from 40,000 in 2023 to 1.4 lakh in 2024.
Ongoing crisis
Drug crisis deepens in Punjab as well
Punjab's slip to second place provides small consolation, given that the state's drug overdose deaths have continued to grow year after year. The state recorded 106 deaths in 2024, up from 89 in 2023. This is lower than the 117 deaths recorded in 2022. Nationally, drug overdose deaths rose sharply from 654 in 2023 to a record high of 978 in 2024.
Broader issue
Kerala continues to lead NDPS crime rate
The NCRB Crime 2024 report also highlighted that Punjab had the second-highest crime rate under the NDPS Act at 29 cases per lakh population. The state recorded a total of 8,973 cases, with possession for trafficking being the highest at 6,060 cases. Kerala topped both national NDPS crime rates and total cases with figures of 75.5 and 27,149 respectively.