Just 3 drug deaths in Punjab last year: Health Dept in RTI reply
At a time when drug abuse is considered one of the most pressing challenges faced by the state, the Health Department, responding to a right to information (RTI) query filed by this correspondent, has stated that only three drug-related deaths were officially recorded in the state in 2024.
According to the reply, two deaths occurred in Moga district and one in Gurdaspur, while no drug-related fatalities were reported in the remaining 21 districts.
These numbers, though based on official records, appear sharply at odds with public perception. The department maintains that the data was cross-verified before being released.
Interestingly, the same RTI reply states that the state currently has 2,96,764 drug addicts registered at Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics. Bathinda tops the list with 26,846 registered addicts, while Pathankot reports the lowest number at 2,214.
To support these patients, the Health Department dispenses over 1.22 crore buprenorphine tablets per month, a key medication used in opioid substitution therapy. Bathinda leads with 11.16 lakh tablets, while Pathankot receives just 1.04 lakh.
The state has 177 private de-addiction centres, 29 of which are currently inactive. There are 36 government de-addiction centres, but two of them are non-functional. The rehabilitation sector fares no better as 31 of 72 private rehabilitation centres and seven of 22 government-run centres are inactive. Shockingly, Pathankot and Malerkotla districts have no such rehabilitation centre.
The Assistant Director (Mental Health), Department of Health and Family Welfare, said 61 psychiatrists were currently serving in the government sector. “Under the ongoing ‘War on Drugs’ campaign, district-level marches are being conducted, along with school awareness drives via EDUSAT platform and community outreach through village health and nutrition committees,” the official said.
On the other hand, the police have formed the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), and also launched cordon and search operations (CASO), Operation Seal in the border districts, as well as asset confiscation and demolition drives.
Repeated attempts to contact Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh proved futile. The query was sent to him through a message, but he did not respond. A senior Health Department official, however, reiterated that the figures disclosed in the RTI response were accurate as per official records.
Punjab