Bhopal’s alarming rise in drug addiction

 

 

 

 

Once known for its lakes and cultural heritage, Bhopal is now grappling with a growing crisis: drug addiction. In recent months, the city has witnessed a disturbing surge in substance abuse, particularly synthetic drugs, with experts warning that Bhopal is fast becoming a major hub for drug production and consumption. Renowned Psychiatrist Dr Satyakant Trivedi reports a 50% increase in addiction cases, calling it a ‘worrying trend’.

 

He highlights that easy availability of drugs is a major factor contributing to the rise in addiction. Teenagers aged 15 to 19 are falling prey to drugs due to curiosity, peer pressure, and online influence, while young adults between 20 and 35, the largest group among addicts, are driven by job stress, career anxiety, and urban lifestyle pressures. At the city’s two major Government hospitals, JP Hospital and Hamidia Hospital, facilities for treatment and counselling of addicts are available. Clinical psychologist Dr Rahul Sharma from JP Hospital says, “We are overwhelmed. Every month, we receive 20 or more new cases of alcohol and drug addiction.

 

We’ve set up a de-addiction ward, but the demand is growing faster than our capacity.” The crisis is compounded by the easy availability of synthetic drugs. In recent months, law enforcement agencies have busted two major drug factories in Bagroda and Jagdishpur industrial areas, seizing 61 kg of liquid mephedrone and 907 kg of MDMA, with a street value exceeding Rs 1,800 crore. These operations revealed links to international drug syndicates, including Nigerian and Thai nationals. In another case, Bhopal Police arrested Shahwar Ahmed and Yaseen Ahmed, who were allegedly supplying MDMA and other party drugs to clubs and private parties.

 

Their network reportedly involved foreign suppliers and Hawala-based funding. Apart from synthetic drugs, seizures of cannabis, ganja, cocaine, and LSD have also increased. In 2024 alone, 51 cases under the NDPS Act were registered in Bhopal, and 95 drug traffickers were arrested. Mental health professionals warn that addiction is spreading across income groups. In lower-income areas, substances like country liquor, whitener, and smack are common. Middle-income groups often misuse prescription drugs, while higher-income youth are increasingly drawn to party drugs and designer substances, often sourced online.

 

The 18-30 age group has shown the steepest rise in addiction, especially post-pandemic, where digital addiction and substance use are now interlinked. Experts say that without rehabilitation centres, the city’s efforts to combat addiction remain incomplete. As Bhopal battles this growing menace, the need for comprehensive rehabilitation infrastructure, community awareness, and policy-level intervention has never been more urgent. Without it, the city risks becoming not just a hub of drug production, but a capital of broken futures.